Project Description

MUTO

‘ARCANE’

(EP Review)

Reviewer: Chelsea Wood

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The release of MUTO‘s debut 7 track EP, Arcane, couldn’t have dropped at a better time for the Sydney producer. Released ready for his Splendour in the Grass debut, Arcane is complex  body of work that’s allowing MUTO‘s fans to step inside the mind of this Sydney creative as he exercises his collaboration, producing, and programming talents. Featuring heavily rotated singles, Wildfire, Say Nothing, and most recent release Tessellating, Arcane leads fans into obscurity itself while being submersed by the EP’s atmospheric sound.

Influenced by the peculiarity and endearing makings of digital sound, Arcane opens with Rogue, a track of which provides a gentle introduction to the EP’s sound. It’s a slow burner with a gradual increase in tempo fused with various instrumental lines. These dynamic additional layers give Rogue texture, making it an interesting track to open the EP with.

As the latest single released prior to the EP itself, Tessellating, features the elegant vocals of Oliver Dibley mixed well within a surge of sound. This blend of synth, along with a transition through tempo transports the listener further through the journey of Arcane. Tessellating is a track that is likely to blow up Splendour while hinting at elements of the likes of RUFUS DU SOL and What So Not.

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Cloud Party then continues MUTO‘s journey through sound effortlessly with an alluring female vocal. Bloodlust then pushes Arcane’s sound to its limit through MUTO‘s experimentation of programming, with this purely instrumental track being reminiscent of Flume‘s early sound.

Emerson Leif‘s vocals on Say Nothing begin distant which, in turn allows the production to shine through. But as the song progresses, his vocals become more dominant through the multi layering of the vocal line. Wildfire then brings in elements of smooth and soulful RnB, making the track stand out amongst the rest. These RnB features then move into Rap with Lost. By the time the listener reaches the end of Arcane, various genres have been explored through collaborations all while MUTO maintains an atmospheric sound.

The past 12 months have already seen MUTO take on a 26 date tour across Australia; be handpicked by Odesza as support for their European album tour, as well as become the second highest played artist on Triple J Unearthed (thanks to his single Say Nothing), now rounding it all off with this debut EP release, and a national tour in August to support it.

The past year has been huge for MUTO and with the help of Arcane, 2018 is set to be even bigger.

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