Axis US Vinyl & CDs

Review: As Jeff Mills returns to his third deepest obsession after 909s and UFOs, he presents an addendum to his renewed Metropolis Metropolis soundtrack which doubles down on three of the themes and gives them a different framework through the lens of a 12". This is still the more cinematic end of the Millsian spectrum, but there's some intensity which may well be of use to the more dramatic or daring techno DJ. 'The Dance Rebellion Starts' is plenty loopy and disorienting, full of interwoven, clangorous patterns which should stay nicely in time if you get them locked in the mix. 'The Other Maria' might well be the star of the show though, a nightmarish, ever-building drone piece with some half-time percussion stalking around the edges for guidance. 'Freder's Reality Switch' completes the picture with a slightly more stable synths n' strings piece, but there's still that innate sense of otherness Mills always threads into his work.

Review: In 2021 we were treated to a new entry in Jeff Mills' venerated Millsart series via the outstanding, house-tinted Think Again 12" and now he's gracing us with more of that sublime, deep-tripping, soul-enriched magic via this frankly outstanding new record. Once again there's an emphasis on warm musicality, not least the piano coursing through 'Nocturnal Moves', but as is Mills' way the melody always teeters on the edge of discord and microtonality, crating a very special kind of spirituality which could well send shivers down the spine of the dancefloor. Demonstrating the full power of his expression as a composer as well as a programmer, Mills sounds utterly inspired on these three new tracks, which sound primed for dramatic scenes when you want to take a crowd somewhere special.