Mokhov’s Perfect Dream marks his second atmospherically infused electronic effort (atmospherica?). Add in the fact that it was released less than a year after his debut record, it’s safe to say that this musician is nothing short of prolific. Overall, Perfect Dream successfully avoids the dreaded “sophomore slump” by expanding on what makes Mokhov’s music so enjoyable: lush, bountiful soundscapes complemented by plenty of variation to keep things fresh.
What I found drawing me back to Perfect Dream wasn’t a particularly catchy break, the punchy, syncopated rhythms or wispy vocal cuts. Instead, the overall cohesiveness of the ten tracks elevates the album to a level above and beyond the plethora of electronic music saturating the net at the moment.
Attention to detail is one of Mokhov’s strong suits, a point that Perfect Dream eloquently illustrates over and over again. Technical rhythms pepper each track with deliberate, uptempo fervor while soothing pads and leads flow fittingly alongside. Bass lines help to carve out a solid foundation, designed to generate the grooves that so appropriately complement the drum patterns.
Which brings me to my last point – Mokhov’s overall, defining sound. Since Halcyon Days, it appears that he has gone all in on creating music that doesn’t just sound atmospheric, but feels it too. While hints of this sound were apparent on Halcyon Days, it is all the more pronounced in Perfect Dream. This album doesn’t just make you feel like you’re floating above the clouds; it digs deep, defines and magnifies that sound tenfold.
Every successful musician’s career is littered with hits and misses, which are never defined until far into their career. While I don’t profess to be a fortune teller, my own crystal ball is telling me that Perfect Dream is the album that will define his unique brand of sound. Of course, I don’t believe that he will refrain from stepping outside of these bounds, but at the moment, his music sounds like little else out there. This focus is what pushes Perfect Dream beyond being just a “good” record.
As he’s accurately mentioned on his Bandcamp page, his unique brand of electronic music reflects that made by Aphex Twin, Four-tet and Boards of Canada, but is showing signs of standing out on its own. I very highly recommend throwing down the measly $5 he’s is asking for the digital download, as the record is worth far more than that.
Stand out tracks:
“Illusion”
“Fly Away” (Music Video)
“Dream Eyes”
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"Where Were We When" and download it for as many coconuts as you can spare.
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1 comment
Shipwrek – Journal | Bandcamp's Best says:
Aug 28, 2012
[...] like: Emancipator, Mokhov, [...]