Mysteries – New Age Music Is Here
- Written by Ben Macnair
In an age where we know too much about too many people, from musicians and the types of strings they use, to people who are just famous for being famous and their lovers, it is refreshing that some people are happy to let their creative work speak for them, and offer no comment or opinion. The Mysteries are one such act, and true to form, not much is known about The Mysteries.
A mysterious demo appeared at the offices of their record company, and the rest as they say, is history. In ‘New Age Music Is Here’ we don’t have thoughtful ambient music, as the title might suggest, but we do have music that is streamlined, and the group clearly has a perfectionist streak, in the pureness of both sound and intent within this album. It sounds like Depeche Mode filtered through David Byrne, with Brian Eno at the production desk on some of the other numbers.
The opening track 'Introduction (New Age Music Is Here)' is a solid statement of intent, whilst post-industrial noise core sounds abound on the album, there is a musical sense throughout the twelve tracks on this release. ‘Newly Thrown’ with its Mobyish rhythms and synths could be the soundtrack to a future-set noir thriller, whilst ‘Knight Takes Rook’ is a great song of emotion.
‘Authenticity’ is a slow tune that has a lot in common with the drone/math rock of Rhys Chatham, or is a distant cousin to the minimalist sounds of Steve Reich and Philip Glass, whilst ‘Deckard’ as its Blade Runner name dropping suggests has a brooding intensity and Jean Michel Jarre-like keyboard soundscapes that although being slightly dated also have a warmth and welcoming nature that is missing from much recent intelligent dance.
Although in these times of Simon Cowell there is nothing really here for the conventional pop music fan, for the more seasoned music consumer, this completely original work should be embraced warmly.