Parastrophics by Mouse on Mars

The fact that they are still doing it 18 years after their first album, and still capable of making some of the best music of their career, is inspiring.

In a graceful return to form, Jan and Andi make it clear that they’re as present as ever, ready to jump into the game like it hasn’t been six years since we last met.

Parastrophics is their best album since Niun Niggung. The very fact of its being is cause for celebration, as is the continued existence of Mouse On Mars themselves.

Mouse on Mars sound overjoyed to be back, and they continue let their freak flag hang in the wind, deftly balancing the weirdness with a terse sampling of moods and colours.

Parastrophics is never dull, and there are some great moments on here. But occasionally it is a little too restless for its own good. Some of the experiments fizzle out really quickly.

It suffers from the problem that comes from trying to sustain that moment of pure ecstasy: it’s incredibly fun, but after awhile it becomes exhausting.