Shoutout to everyone waiting for a fresh batch of μ-Ziq from the μ-Ziq-man himself: Mike Paradinas has announced a new album of classic material called Challenge Me Foolish. It’s hitting the digital world (and beyond) April 13 via Planet Mu (more like: “Planet DUH!”).
The record is sourced from the μ-Ziq vault circa 1998–1999 and is being called a companion of sorts to his 1999 album Royal Astronomy. But as with all things Paradinas, you should expect something fresher than spring [digital] rain, because the record is described as “baroque, melodic and whimsical,” in contrast to the IDM movement’s “often neurotic and complicated” music of the time. (It’s a good thing they didn’t call it “ON&CDM,” right?) In fact, roughly half the tracks on Challenge Me Foolish feature Japanese vocalist Kazumi, showing just how far Paradinas traveled away from his contemporaries during that moment (as it turns out, he traveled precisely as far as Japan).
That melodic affinity is pretty clear on the pre-release cut “Inclement,” which is full of wonky synths and dreamy string sounds, and, ironically, it sounds perfectly clement to me! See what inadequate descriptors you can come up for it by giving it a listen below!
And of course, be sure to check out the tracklist below, and pre-order the damn thing at this high tech digi-location. After all, you’ve already waited 20 years to hear it, why wait any longer?! The future is here.
Challenge Me Foolish tracklisting:
01. Inclement
02. Undone
03. Challenge Me Foolish (feat. Kazumi)
04. Bassbins
05. Robin Hood Gate
06. Perhaps
07. Durian (feat. Kazumi)
08. Ceiling
09. Lexicon (feat. Kazumi)
10. Perfame
11. Playbox
12. Sad Inlay (feat. Kazumi)
13. Peek Freans
14. DoDaDu (feat. Kazumi)
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