Released on: 15th January 2021
Imperative Reaction announced Mirror in 2015. Five years later, and ten years since the release of their previous album, good to their word Mirror sees a release. And, it sounds like an Imperative Reaction album.
While waxing lyrically upon ruminations of dysphoria and discontentment, yet having the groove of an early DJ set but, with enough darkness to power a Goth for a stompy ground pound or two Mirror sits at the table of niche intellectual but danceable floor fillers. Is that an accurate summary of what an Imperative Reaction sounds like? Well, ten years has eroded the rockier elements from the groups sound leaving a purer synthetic experience. But, the feeling of intensive care is all there.
Intentionally or not the new direction sees firm roots in the 80’s synth-pop movement. With optimistic sounds being generated by the synths’ generators, twisted to fit a more timely agenda of malcontent and personal strife that envelops the backing track with an intense chiral image of the emotional intention behind the songs present, while their DNA is read from a symbolic fugue on the zeitgeist from the popularity of 90’s industrial music.
Without the guitars Mirror takes a lead [synth joke! – Ed] from the Nine Inch Nails category of electronic indulgence. Where the simplicity heard on Pretty Hate Machine is adapted and turned up to eleven. In addition to the heavy synth abuse there are times when you can hear a bit of Gravity Kills in the mix-up too. Both are really good influences, again intentional or not. Either way and in comparison it shows a strong foundation on which Mirror was built.
It is an interesting album with a great sound. Although not as bouncy as earlier works. But, a decade between releases is a long time to mature and Imperative Reaction have used that time to develop and adapt. There is still a lot of virility and spirit here but tonally it is more personable than danceable.
7/10
