Plug Into Muto’s Industrial World Of ‘MIRARE’, His Sophomore EP On Dekadenz Records

Muto now constructs the *MIRARE* machine (Credit: Photo courtesy of Muto, artwork by Bharata Danu)

There’s a certain dichotomy that splits the multifaceted output of Muto. As a selector, and most prominently as resident DJ of Ice Cream Sundays, Muto is known for upbeat picks that throw crowds into a tizzy, cartwheeling between the realms of disco, Italo, house and world music just to name a few. But it’s only upon seeping into his artistry as a producer when you witness a more avant-garde edge to the Japanese veteran. Muto’s Side B is a gobsmacking switcheroo.

Then again, this would be of little surprise to you if you’d stayed looped into Muto’s catalogue over the years. In 2021, Muto released his debut EP titled Ishi (which you can reminisce about in this interview feature) on Dekadenz, the left-field Jakarta record label co-founded by Jonathan Kusuma. In that frontier, Muto revealed his more industrial inclinations, fuelled by other interweaving elements of dark disco and electronic body music. And just like a machine in motion, Muto continues the kineticism two years later with another offering on the Indonesian label, unveiling the dystopian world of MIRARE.

In the same vein as Ishi, MIRARE is another mechanical entity with a soul pulsating underneath the austerity. Muto has tempered the four-track EP with the grit and precision of an audio blacksmith, producing a versatile weapon that can cut deep on the dancefloor. You’ll find this in opener “L-R”, striking hard with the minimalism of its sparse synthwork while marching forward with crunchy, menacing footsteps. The monotonous synth notes and fluctuating drones of “Mirare” vibrate within a steely exoskeleton. “Chimeratown” is a more iridescent entry with bouncy bass plucks and pitched-up tribal chants. And on closer “Aggressive Pop”, Muto presents a strident amble that cruises with programmed attitude, reminiscent of rogue robots having a jam session. Mirare is another machine brought to life, built by the capable and unpredictable hands of its creator.