Mirrors

Artist: DJ Seinfeld

Released: September 2021

Length: 42m 9s

My review:

Four years and a handful of EP's since his debut, Time Spent Away From U, Armand brought out his second album Mirrors, which for me has a more refined final sound and a greater openness and honesty, emphasising the journey of introspection and self-discovery. The record centralises around the beautiful quote 'You were always my mirror... to see myself, I had to look at you' and you can hear that maturity and growth in this latest music.

She Loves Me is both the opening track and the first words heard on the album, they are later followed by the conformation 'yes she does' but are then constantly contradicted with 'why does she?'. Throughout the tune we flip between the two states, exhibiting the flux, uncertainty and doubt we all feel, this acknowledgement and vulnerability immediately allows the listener to simultaneously connect and relate, a powerful introduction with a deep and rumbling bass. We then flow into Walking With Ur Smile with a similar structure of melodic highs, related lyrical content and repetition, and an almost identical BPM, this was the first single released from the record. U Already Know has a slight shift in mood as Armand draws on his Italo-Disco inspirations creating a more uplifting aura but with his signature use of distortion effects. The Right Place, like the previous track, features singer Teira which helps the smooth transition to a tender and uncluttered tune with a complimentary disposition but with a climb back up in BPM. The only instrumental of the album comes in the form of Home Calling and acts as a ambient interlude as we switch gears slightly heading into the second half of the record. These Things Will Come To Be kicks us off again with the Lo-Fi sound so prevalent in his previous album, the only words come in the form of a heart-felt voice recording left on an answering machine, a lovely bit of production that is so emotive and effective, with its big breakdown and euphoric atmosphere this is one of the highlights of the record for me. The optimistic outlook is continued into Tell Me One More Time, a bopping house number with a summery vibe and the inclusion of some gentle yet warm sounding keys. We stay at the same BPM for my stand out song Someday which I talk about in greater detail below, before slowing down ever so slightly for I Feel Better, the penultimate song. The inclusion of long drawn out strings help with gradually bringing the mood down as the album naturally comes to a close. Song For The Lonely completes the record, revisiting the Lo-Fi roots with some distorted sombre lyrics and a slightly jarring melody that peaks for the middle of the song. Around a minute before the end we have the inspiriting addition of a synth that provides some comfort, exhibiting the sound of a vocal choir with its angelic quality before the beat is left to run out the final seconds.

A conscientious and candid second album that blurs the line between melancholy and cheerfulness, mirroring the internal struggle that is often faced as we journey through life. We are close to reaching the next four year mark and just like the World Cup with its consistency and regularity I hope this means we are due another full LP release from this man soon, I will definitely be keeping an ear to the ground with an air of optimism.

Stand out song:  Someday

This album has such a great flow to it that I consider it to be just one piece of continuous music with each track or two as a different movement, as such it was difficult to single out a particular song. However I managed to make the tough decision and chose Someday, a trippy house anthem with a driving beat with a characteristically DJ Seinfeld melody along with his additional use of distortion and reverb effects. The dreamy lyrics are repeated throughout the track and although they aren't super clear on first hearing, I feel the emotion they convey are felt on the song. The use of echo and repetition drive home the angst of feeling trapped and the desire to escape and break free builds as does the tension over the duration of the track. The drums resemble the Breakbeat style and provide that rousing anthemic excitement that is frequently heard with artists like Bicep. Overall a brilliant tune from a very well constructed and intelligently produced album, here's to more of the same in the future.

When to listen: 

I feel like this album is best listened to just as the sun has set and as the last bright colours of the sky are fading to night, there is the sense of excitement for the upcoming evening. I like to have this record playing in my headphones while navigating city streets as they become animated with people, leaving work and gearing up for a night out. When I am listening to it I am transported to a space somewhere on the periphery of reality, able to peer inside somehow slightly disconnected but with a greater understanding and sense of contemplation although with a tinge of pensiveness.

Spotify: Listen here

Vinyl:

I have the European pressing on black vinyl, the gatefold cover design and artwork is gorgeous, using a subtle pastel palette with a few chosen reflective silver highlights. The two records play at 33 1/3 RPM and are loud and flawless, plenty enough to capture the rich soundscapes produced in the album - Discogs link

Other useful links:

Bandcamp page for music, Armand has a strong back catalogue of work to his name, well worth checking out his multiple EP's and his offering for the DJ-Kicks series - https://djseinfeld.bandcamp.com/

You can grab a copy here at Ninja Tune, also well worth checking out the rest of the music on this label, they always have a top roster of artists - https://ninjatune.net/release/dj-seinfeld/mirrors

If you like this try these:

Ross From Friends - Tread

Fred Again.. - Actual Life (April 14 - December 17 2020)  

Laurence Guy - Saw You For The First Time