Reviewed: Mind Against drop diversely stunning new EP ‘Reveries’ on Maeve.

Drawing from IDM, house and techno, Italy-born, Berlin-based duo Mind Against have previously expressed their emotive, psychedelic sound on labels such as Hotflush or the Life and Death imprint. Their unique DJ sets, often performed in many of the world’s best venues, create a special kind of feeling in the club, at once uplifting, dark, driving and melodic.

Following a well-received recent release on Tale of Us’ Afterlife imprint, the duo re-up in rapid succession with only their second release of 2021. 

Finding its home on forward-thinking Berlin-based imprint Maeve, ‘Reveries’ touches on a diverse range of points across melodic house & techno – opening the gate further into the depth of the pair’s undeniably broad musical talent. 

First up, the title track ‘Reveries‘ cuts the line of archetypal melodic techno feeling. Constantly rising, its flurry of bass and synth stabs arpeggiate into a contrasting ripple – creating a pulsating drive and movement beyond its dynamic drum work and subtle percussion. 

‘Prophet‘ comes next, with a dreamy organic downturn and backwards lean. The nonconventional beat structure is the first thing to jump out at you before dissolving you into its melting pot of sirenic tonal elements and resonant modulations. In a very Four Tet-style way, its non-intrusive yet robust personality somehow makes a combination of dreamy and underground possible – eclecticism at its finest here!

The penultimate track, ‘Harp‘, keeps no secrets with its naming. As you may have guessed, there is a very prominent plucking of angelic strings that saunter along from end to end – gliding through its loosely swung drum work, rhythmic sub, piercing synths and stuttering vox like a hot knife through butter. 

The release ends on ‘Dawn‘, another tenderly swaying happy-go-lucky cut. Again cleverly named, its lightly jacking persona ushers in daybreak with ethereal synth lines and a little corrosive analogue grit in places. Clinging onto the night but accepting the rising sun and the warmth that comes with – it brings the EP to a close on a sharp spike of serotonin.

Mind Against’s ‘Reveries’ EP is available to buy and stream now on Maeve Records.