Mike Monday also know as Michael Mukhopadhyay has recently released his new artist Album entitled Songs Without Words on Om Recordings. Om Recordings was founded in 1995 and is one of the last remaining completely independent labels, which is still thriving to this day. Mike studied at Oxford University where he studied music and graduated in 1994. Ever since he has been a house and techno DJ and producer.

Songs Without Words - Part 1 is the follow up to his debut album, which was released in 2006. This was a crucial point in Mike's career, as this was when he began to explore many other genres of electronic music and began pushing boundaries. Mike has made his own original trademark sound that is often imitated. Mike has received much success with his productions, with one of the being on the Top 100 Essential Dance Tracks of the last 10 years and he has received support by artists such as Steve Bug, Josh Wink, Mylo, and M.A.N.D.Y.

“I wanted to explore the potential of instrumental music as a medium for writing albums", says Mike. "Lyrics make music specific but instrumental music can mean completely different things to different people. This allows the listeners to take what they want from the music, making it more personal to them. When I'm writing I'm always visualizing something, but all I give to the listener are signposts or clues in the form of track titles, which I intentionally keep pretty inscrutable.” Songs Without Words - Part 1 is an extremely versatile album. It is boundless to any one particular genre. The sounds of this album are greatly influenced by Funky House, Techno, Chillout, and even Disco and Hip Hop. The album is both unique, and eclectic. Mike shows just how talented and creative he is by dabbling into a little bit of everything. There are no full vocals on this album besides the one minuscule snippet, and there couldn't be, as it would really contradict the title.

Opening the album is the track Grace that starts off with ambient sound-scapes that lead into an original break beat and it progresses while adding some additional drums and effects. There are occasional classical violin symphonies thrown in throughout the track. The feeling behind the track is very chill and relaxing. The track Through The Keyhole has a mysterious sounding quality to it. The bass is grinding enhancing the plucking melodies that flow into a minimal techno style groove.

Catnip is very digital sounding with a peculiarly pleasant house vibe. The chords continue to change keeping the track interesting. There are massive hits added towards the end of the track that amplify the mood. Bad Wind (With a Touch of Acid) starts out jazzy and as the tempo increases some acidy effects compliment the funky beat. The track winds down and then speeds up again with breezy pads echoing in the background. I wouldn't even know how to begin classifying this track. The 11 11 begins with a nice house baseline and some simple claps and then after a few moments a tick comes in and takes the track into a completely different direction than expected gaining a new kind of energy.

Along Came Nookle has a vocal sounding zap bass with snazzy snaps. The beat is easy and smooth and once all of the sounds combine near the end it gives off a sound that is completely out of this world. I Am Plankton is more of a dark and deep track with spacey melodies. A beautiful guitar ballad sample is added right before the beat drops with a hollow lead and some tambourines. The synth Mike used sounds very alien like and you will feel like you are lost within an episode of the Twilight Zone. It exudes a seriously paranormal energy. Salieri Complex is a house track with island like qualities. It definitely has the dance floor vibe to it whereas most of the other tracks included on the album have more of a smaller room or lounge appeal. It has a very short female vocal sample that is twisted around, and reverb-ed, which make the lyric unable to be interpreted.

The Unanswered Question is yet another track with weird and spacey qualities, both mesmerizing and un-replicable. I must agree the question is still unanswered, since it has struck me speechless. Stargirl is a deep progressive house track with excellent layers of melody. The beat is very light and the background pads are heavenly. It really gives the impression of traveling through the stars.

My favorite tracks on the album are Salieri Complex, and Stargirl as they most convey the style of music that I enjoy. It has been a pleasure reviewing this album, and I feel as if I have received a major learning experience as to the possibilities of an artist's creativity.

Track-listing:

1. Mike Monday - Grace
2. Mike Monday - Through The Keyhole
3. Mike Monday - Catnip
4. Mike Monday - Bad Wind (With A Touch of Acid)
5. Mike Monday - The 11 11
6. Mike Monday - Along Came Nookle
7. Mike Monday - I Am Plankton
8. Mike Monday - Salieri Complex
9. Mike Monday - The Unanswered Question
10. Mike Monday - Stargirl