- There are many reasons why Planet Mu is so long-lived, but one is its capacity for sniffing out music that transcends its context. Back when dubstep was in the ascendant, the likes of Vex'd and Pinch brought the sound to new audiences through landmark releases on the label. And now, as instrumental grime's new wave has broken across the blogosphere, Mike Paradinas and co are at it again. Even disregarding his credentials (he's co-founder of Boxed and head of the Gobstopper label), Mr. Mitch is a shoe-in for such a signing. In recent times the London producer has developed a wonderful melodic sense that nods to all kinds of worlds beyond grime—whether it's the twinkly IDM of Paradinas' youth, Darkstar-style synth-pop or '80s ambient noodlings.
Don't Leave takes that crossover impulse and runs with it. There's definitely still a grime influence here, in the bold structures and the occasional sonic tic. But mostly what stands out are the melodies—wonderful, earworming things, simple but endlessly pleasurable in a manner similar to Mssingno's smash "XE2," only more delicately handled. The title track is the real crowdpleaser, its titular lovelorn sample sculpted into a head-hung, heart-strong ballad whose melody will rattle round the skull for hours. There and on the gothic "Padded" the drums do little more than keep time; the latter's lacklustre claps barely do that, and it's the only point where Mitch lets things sit a little too still. Elsewhere he proves he can handle a groove when he wants to. "Oh," the most conventional of the lot, slouches along in languid hip-hop style. Even better is "Be Somebody," whose sparse halftime beat and pitchblack sub-bass throb wouldn't sound out of place on a vintage DMZ record. Paired with layers of dissonant synth arps, pattering like raindrops on a lamplit car window, the effect is gripping.
Tracklist01. Don't Leave
02. Be Somebody
03. Padded
04. Oh