French electronic producer and artist Rone, best known for his eclectic textural decadency is constantly reshaping and moulding his sound while staying quintessentially himself; as we see in his fourth album Mirapolis.
An almost hallucinogenic journey through the human psyche and childhood memories, Rone guides us through a science fiction phantasmagoria. Influenced heavily by the absurdist and psychedelic imagery and themes of the 1927 film Metropolis; Rone, previously collaborating on projects with artists such as post-folk singer Sea Oleena and avant garde trumpeter Toshinori Kondo – has brought us true collaborative experiences in Mirapolis. Teaming up with the likes of Michael Gondry – French film director as well as designer of the album artwork – Kazu Makino, vocalist and multi instrumentalist of Blonde Redhead, Battles drummer John Stainer and Bryce Dessner of The National to name a few, we are presented with an array of sounds as an auditory voyage through Rone’s personal Metropolis.
Our introduction is that of ‘I, Philip’. At the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, the first French virtual reality short film I, Philip was introduced; dedicated to celebrated science fiction author Phillip K. Dick. A gentle induction into this experience of birth or re-birth; the choir sings to us as we open the curtains and let the light shine through. An upbeat auditory arrangement in major key; the sphere of ambient noise. The silence of a sunlit house; young one looking out the crib as loved ones are present and it’s early morning. I can hear you just fine. This ambience builds into a juxtaposition of glissando cyber-synths – our human subconscious is a gossamer Pandora’s box; but a fragile grasp on images in our minds. Easily distorted, easily lost. Easily replayed over and over when all we wish for is silence. However, what if human memory could be transported to something artificial? Something that never makes mistakes? Human subconscious within a non-human consciousness.
Read the full review by Jenna Dreisenstock at The Playground