Michal Menert continues to steer his electronic music in new and inventive directions, this time with 1, the debut album from his six-piece band Michal Menert and the Pretty Fantastics out on Menert’s label, Super Best Records.
The record’s third track, “The Reason”, has Menert telling us, “I’m tired of feeling the same thing / I’m tired of being the same me”. Appropriately, 1 is a near complete departure for Menert from all other music in his extensive catalogue. Using the hashtag #indie-tronic on his Soundcloud to describe the album, Menert is treading in unchartered musical territory. Many indie rock performers have begun integrating synthesizers to give their music an electronic color, but Menert appears to be the first artist to approach indie stylizations from the electronic side of the fence.
His poetic prowess is on full display with 1, which relies on lyrics more than any of his other releases. The first single from the record, “Shanghai”, has a beautiful melody and cadence, but it’s the lyrics which drive the tune forward. The horn samples and bass lines which in the past Menert produced through the synthesizer now shine in all their acoustic beauty, particularly on tracks like “Paradiso”. Michal Menert is distinct among electronic producers for his ability to relate intense emotion through music, and we think it’s safe to say this is his most emotive release to date. Our favorite tune from 1, “If You Knew” builds and builds through Menert’s lyric before reaching a climatic and cathartic guitar riff that is all feels.
Menert has employed a band before with the Michal Menert Big Band, but the Pretty Fantastics is a completely different project. Whereas the Big Band would recreate Michal Menert’s music, the Pretty Fantastics, though led by Menert, forge their own unique sound.
Menert was one of a few talented taste-makers who practically invented the genre of electro soul, and his departure from it with 1 is incredibly well orchestrated. You can catch this new and beautiful music across America this fall, as the Pretty Fantastics are hitting the road tomorrow on tour. Check out the tour dates here, and of course stream 1 on Soundcloud.
Connect with Michal Menert
https://www.facebook.com/michalmenert
https://twitter.com/michalmenert
https://soundcloud.com/michalmenert
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