Though its first two to three tunes might seem more like Moderat 1.5, what follows is in fact a spectacularly nuanced and intelligent full sequel.
Where Moderat sounded at times tentative and disjointed, II is in every regard a better and more well-rounded record.
The introspection allows ideas to flow freely, and moreover the diverse styles of the collaborators this time make cosy bedfellows to create a genuinely beautiful, atmospheric record.
‘II’ is their finest work yet and cements the fact that Moderat have developed into a dance act whose existence should never have even been questioned in the first place.
They tick every single one of the right boxes: it's original, full of titantic rhythms, superb basslines and viral melodies; it may take a while to get going in places, but that's part of it's charm - it doesn't need to thrust everything into your face at once.
II is the kind of crafted album you just don’t expect from a supergroup or side project as it matches, and maybe even tops, the work of its individual parties.
More considered than the debut, more quietly patient and yet somehow more addictive.
II feels like a more confident – perhaps also a more friendly – version of Moderat‘s distinctive style.
The major differences between II and their self-titled debut is that their sonic sensibilities have grown more refined and compelling, and that the world has just about caught up to them.
A pall of unrest certainly permeates the record, but II feels of a single entity, one cloaked in fog but backlit by strobes.
This trio’s strength comes in playing off of the gradual successes of its composite members, which is why II is such an improvement over Moderat.
The two sides of its conception are for the most part mutually reinforced by each other as well as taken in occasionally novel directions
It sounds for all the world like ‘bass music’: polite, rounded, MOR and generic. Out goes Moderat’s teutonic sternness, in come cutesy rhythms and genteel sonics.
edit: 79 -> 89
I get the hype a lot more now, this is some beautiful and expansive shit.
This album was a pleasent surprise. This is my first time listening to 2-step. The only thing I knew coming into this was that 2-Step was some kind of electronic music.
The Mark (Interlude- n/a
Bad Kingdom- 8
Versions- 7
Let in the Light- 8
Milk- 8
Therapy- 9
Gita- 7
Clouded (Interlude) n/a
Ilona- 8
Damage Done- 8
This Time- 8
It's not bad by any means but it's not really interesting. Some parts sound cool and the vocals are nice when they are used, but their whole soundscape got old quick. I really wanted to like it more especially with the first couple of tracks being pretty decent, but this album is just ok.
II is a good album for background music when you doing your homework. 🙂🙂🙂 and yeah that's all I have to say. 7/10
1 | The Mark (Interlude) 1:36 | 51 |
2 | Bad Kingdom 4:22 | 82 |
3 | Versions 5:10 | 70 |
4 | Let in the Light 4:15 | 74 |
5 | Milk 10:04 | 64 |
6 | Therapy 5:45 | 75 |
7 | Gita 4:22 | 72 |
8 | Clouded (Interlude) 1:33 | 51 |
9 | Ilona 5:03 | 71 |
10 | Damage Done 5:26 | 74 |
11 | This Time 5:45 | 68 |
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