Mirage is the third studio album by German electronic music duo Digitalism, released on 13 May 2016 by Magnetism Recording Co.[5] through PIAS. Jens Moelle and İsmail Tüfekçi produced all songs on the album, with Moelle providing all vocals aside from Anthony Rossomando of the band Dirty Pretty Things on "Battlecry" and the band's former tour bus driver Anthony Wilson providing a freestyle rap on the hip hop track "The Ism".[6]
| Mirage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 13 May 2016 | |||
| Genre | Electro house[1] | |||
| Length | 76:15 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer |
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| Digitalism chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Mirage | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Hot Press | 6/10[3] |
| PopMatters | 7/10[1] |
| Renowned for Sound |  [4] |
Along with the announcement of the album, the band released the tracks and first two singles, "Battlecry" and "Utopia".[5] The band toured Europe, North America and Australia in May and June 2016 in support of the album.[7][8]
Critical reception edit
AllMusic's David Jeffries gave the record a 4/5 rating, stating that Mirage was about "impetus, hooks that won't quit, and slick synth constructions", and noted its influences from Pink Floyd's '70s-era sound mixing with Underworld's "usual minimalism" that comes with "indie spirit".[2] Stephan Wyatt of PopMatters wrote that Mirage "avoids the clichéd themes" which affected the duo's previous album, in turn replacing them with "sub-bass ones and displeasing noises in pleasing ways" together with "synth swells and bass oscillations to create wild mood swings for the dance floor". He gave the album a 7/10 rating.[1]
Paul Nolan from Hot Press was more critical of the album by saying that it "sticks closely to the EDM rulebook", especially "Arena" and "Battlecry", which are "thumping electro tracks with gaudy production and blaring choruses", reminiscent of DJs David Guetta and Skrillex.[3] Michael Smith from Renowned for Sound felt that although the album had its high moments with "Arena", "Blink" and "Destination Breakdown", it suffered from other tracks lacking a hook and "featuring production choices that don’t make much sense in the grand scheme of the song or album", especially after the two-part track "Mirage".[4]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Arena" |
| 3:01 |
| 2. | "Battlecry" |
| 4:19 |
| 3. | "Go Time" |
| 5:08 |
| 4. | "Utopia" |
| 6:37 |
| 5. | "Destination Breakdown" |
| 7:44 |
| 6. | "Power Station" |
| 4:24 |
| 7. | "Open Waters" |
| 4:53 |
| 8. | "Mirage, Pt. 1" |
| 7:25 |
| 9. | "Mirage, Pt. 2" |
| 5:08 |
| 10. | "Indigo Skies" |
| 4:14 |
| 11. | "Dynamo" |
| 5:16 |
| 12. | "The Ism" |
| 2:50 |
| 13. | "Shangri-La" |
| 3:41 |
| 14. | "No Cash" |
| 5:50 |
| 15. | "Blink" |
| 5:45 |
| Total length: | 76:15 | ||
Personnel edit
Credits adapted from Mirage liner notes.[9]
- Jens Moelle – production, vocals (all except track 2 and 12)
- İsmail Tüfekçi – production
- Anthony Rossomando – vocals (track 2)[6]
- Anthony Wilson – rapping (track 12)[6]
- Matt Wiggins – mixing
- Chab – mastering
- Yoshi Sodeoka – artwork
- Richard Robinson – design
Charts edit
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[10] | 80 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[11] | 188 |
| US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[12] | 16 |
References edit
- ^ a b c Wyatt, Stephan (18 May 2016). "Digitalism: Mirage | PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ a b Jeffries, David. "Mirage - Digitalism | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ a b Nolan, Paul (18 May 2016). "Album review: Digitalism Mirage | Album | Hot Press". Hot Press. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ a b Smith, Michael (18 May 2016). "Renowned for Sound | Album Review: Digitalism – Mirage". Renowned for Sound. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ a b Turner, Dave (7 March 2016). "Digitalism's new album is a 'Mirage' - News - Mixmag". Mixmag. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ a b c d Shakir, Hannah (20 May 2016). "Digitalism Interview on New album Mirage". BBM Live. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Middleton, Ryan (8 March 2016). "Digitalism Unveil North American, European 'Mirage' Tour Dates : Buzz : Music Times". Music Times. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Fuamoli, Sosefina (20 May 2016). "Digitalism touring new album Mirage in June – the AU review". The AU Review. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ PIAS (2016). Mirage (CD liner notes). Digitalism. PIAS. MRCCD002.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Digitalism – Mirage" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Digitalism – Mirage" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ "Digitalism Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2016.