Reviews of Mutante (DR-01)

We are delighted to bring you the incredible debut album for MUTANTE, first released by the legends at Dreamlord Recordings in 2018. Now remastered and available on vinyl for the first time! - from UP IN HER ROOM.

“We all know that music moves in 'cycles'; a generation will discover, revisit and rework the music of a former generation. We've seen this happen on a regular basis with differing results. One of the most pleasing of these revisits sees contemporary bands look back to the early pioneers of electronic music, especially the Berlin scene of the seventies, and thus we see the likes of Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk and Klaus Schulze becoming huge influences on modern music (it is fair to say, however, that these have long been major influences but now that influence is worn like a statement of intent). Add to this the rise in popularity of film soundtracks and a whole new generation becoming familiar with the likes of Fabio Frizzi, John Carpenter, Goblin etc etc and you have a heady brew of contemporary analogue music that treats these influences with the respect they deserve but add their own distinctive twist on affairs.

That preamble leads to this album by Mutante, the pairing of Alec Wood and Jonathan Parkes, who you may know from their equally as excellent Korb project. Previously out in 2018 on CD and digital on Dreamlord Recordings, this wonderful slice of nostalgic electronica is receiving a well deserved vinyl outing courtesy of those fine dudes at Up In Her Room Records. Now, as a rule I do try, not always successfully, not to use the word 'cinematic' but in this case I'm just gonna have to..'Mutante' is just crying out for a film ... a sci-fi/horror slasher film would be good!

The album is comprised of six tracks, all of which channel the aforementioned synth pioneers but all have their own personality; 'Automaton' has a wonderful arpeggio that drives the track in a Tangerine Dream soundtrack style while 'Bioman' has a real sense of foreboding about it. Other tracks like 'Neon Portal' see Kraftwerk becoming the main influence - it has that metronomic quality that gives the track a surefooted framework around which those lovely analogue sounds ebb and flow. For me the standout track is 'Dream Recorder' which is a more ambient piece that just makes me want to grow my hair long (some chance!), wear a chunky sweater and sit cross-legged on the floor of a Berlin studio circa 1972 and smoke a big, fat reefer ... absolutely majestic.

This rise in seventies infused electronica has seen many pretenders to the throne but these guys are no pretenders, they sit firmly at the top table of contemporary analogue synth. I picked up the CD back in 2018 and was blown away then but to hear it on vinyl...can't wait! It is up for pre-order on the Up In Her Room Bandcamp page on Nov 4th (this Friday) and I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy. “

Sun & Violence review- October 2022
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released November 4, 2022


"This album is the latest and long-awaited outpouring from the ever creative minds and hearts of Alec Wood & Jonathan Parkes. For those who know or indeed those who don't know anything about their previous output, it is eclective in a selective way, so who knew what to expect from Mutante.
Well, six, scintillating slabs of synthesiser music is the succinct answer. This is synth music in the Moog sense; ie analogue and vintage sounds and instruments have been widely utilised to a thrilling and always compelling end.
The album begins with 'Electromagnetic' which sets the store out with thematic certainty as the bass throbs somewhat ominously and everything oscillates nicely as this seven minute opener builds up to a 2001-ish finish. I say seven minute opener but all six tracks average out to roughly seven mins a piece, so you get plenty of Bang Boom Tschak for your buck!
This brings us neatly to the ever-present elephant in the synth studio, that of Kraftwerk, and so it is herein where the Dusseldorfian moments are those of homage and genuine longloved influence, rather than slavish emulation. I don't think I'd be talking too much out of line to venture and say with track titles such as 'Bioman', 'Electrical Activity' & 'Automaton', that this album in part can be seen and heard as a paean to the futuristic foursome.
Onto the aforementioned 'Bioman', man machine if you like,where surely Mutante's main intention is fully laid out for all to hear,as this is perfect film theme music, just screaming for a director to use it on a soundtrack. The piece is all minor-key slight menace coupled with a dystopian undertow, which brings to mind the work of John Carpenter and Fabio Frizzi amongst others, whilst retaining identity and originality enough.
Moving on with 'Automaton' the soundtrack vibe continues as the tune arpeggiates away in the grand tradition. As sometimes with such good music one feels that either you've heard it before, or that surely someone should have written it already. This is a positive thing.
Track 4 of 6 'Neon Portal' - good title - again brings to mind Radioactivity/Man Machine era Kraftwerk with added excellent Carpenter-esque melody line: another piece which should have film directors clamouring for it!
Throughout the album there are echoes of the work of such modern luminaries as Antoni Maiovvi, Tim Krog, Steve Moore and Walter Rizzati, the more restrained and less melodramatic parts of their ouvres, but again there is enough distinct work herein to set Mutante apart from the pack.
"Electrical Activity' throbs and pulses with glorious insistence as the current rises and falls. Here again a slight air of thematic dread, enhanced by minor-key melodies, but without overstating this, which sensitive writer can fail to bring such an undertow to their music in these seemingly downward shifting times. Having said this, the album seems to resolve itself with 'Dream Recorder', which as the title suggests, proceeds at a stately and peaceful pace. It bubbles and burbles along beautifully becoming mantra-like in form, echoing an almost Popol Vuh like soundscape. This could be music for Brion Gysin's DreamMachine as the piece fades serenely away and we are left with our thoughts and dreams of a hopefully better future for all.
Mutante is a seriously successful work by always excellent and thought provoking musicans who deserves our full attention."

Review from Slap Mag, Issue 77, Feb 2018 by Stef Work
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released January 19, 2018

Original artwork by Mutante, new design and layout by Jordan Warren
Music Jonathan Parkes and Alec Wood