Brace Yourself

Album review

The Brace Yourself EP sees the release of one amazing song, a number of passable slices of breakbeat ambience, and a couple throwaways. The title song is in fine form on both of its appearances -- its opening remix and its reprise. "Brace Yourself (Remix)" is the kind of song that further proves Mike Paradinas's mastery of emotional breakbeat music. The song is a high-pitched, melodic marathon as charming as it is accomplished. The closing reprise slows things down a bit, providing an appropriate chill-out vibe. In between the song's two appearances, it's a mixed bag of songs that sound a bit too similar. "Kubba" and "Vaken Bolt" are nothing new for µ-Ziq and not nearly compelling enough to qualify for the lullaby status of the opening number. The remaining songs cascade with electronic sound effects and sweet melodies, but qualify as little more than bass-heavy breakbeat filler. Critics of µ-Ziq's drill'n'bass modus operandi will be happy to know that Paradinas is working more in the vein of Lunatic Harness and Royal Astronomy than in the experimental wickedness of Urmur Bile Trax, Vols. 1 & 2. Other than the remixes of "Brace Yourself," Paradinas seems to be saving his best B-sides for his full-length Kid Spatula releases on Planet µ.

© Tim DiGravina /TiVo