MuteMath is a perfect example of a 21st century rock group — in other words, a glorified mash-up. On albums past, the group has approached its work with a very East Coast sensibility, combining dance music and some very interesting instrumental textures to create a sort of organic, urban pop-artsy; slightly abstract and very accomplished. On its latest, _Odd Soul_, the New Orleans-based group seems to be gravitating more toward its musical heritage, integrating more of an bluesy, organic sound into the mix. The result is exceptional. Instrumentally stark and compositionally rich, _Odd Soul_ is a dark and riveting display of modern urban blues at its best.
The key is the players themselves. MuteMath is loaded with musicians adept at making the studio a versatile sonic landscape. By taking its time (several tracks here flirt with the five-minute mark) and fleshing out the compositions with a blend of abstraction and familiarity, hints of soul and gritty American classic rock are allowed to fill in the carefully placed gaps. The effect is similar to Robert Randolph & the Family Band, with Southern funk and radio pop fusing at a raw instrumental core.
Tracks like “Blood Pressure” and “Tell Your Heart Heads Up” see the band blazing though basic blues exercises with invigorating enthusiasm and sense of freshness. Bandleader Paul Meany slithers through the set with delicious slinkiness, adding some touching vocal work on the closer “In No Time,” and even better, proves his worth as a truly skilled and emotive keyboard player. The slow-building, circular two-minute synth coda on “All Or Nothing” is boldly engaging in its minimalism. As appealing as Meany is, it’s drummer Darren King and guitarist Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas that make lasting impacts.
Bridging blues sensibilities with modern studio wizardry, the pair whips up several astounding tracks of jittery, modern urban pop with definite retro backing. The title track thumps and grinds along with the assurance and feel of a Black Keys track, while “Allies” is slick funk given some edge with gritty guitar work. There are some interesting postmodern touches as well, such as the nod to Henry Mancini in the lush instrumental “Sun Ray” and the ‘80s guitar runs in “Prytania.”
_Odd Soul’s_ highlight is the seven-minute “Quarantine.” Dripping guitar lines from generations past blend with technical blips and splutters, and the structure is stubbornly erratic. That MuteMath pulls it off with style and personality speaks to its ability to combine modern and retro stylings in a dynamic studio environment, and makes _Odd Soul_ a more than recommended listen to those wondering where genre-mashing will meet accessibility.
