The first impression when you hold this album in your hands
is that something very dark and
provocative is hidden within it. The cover photo—remarkably bold, by the
way—brings to mind the imagery of the first season of True Detective. Even
before hearing a single note, you can sense an atmosphere of darkness and
uncertainty.
MIP stands for Make Impossible Possible—the new band formed
by Artur Hajdasz, a longtime member of Made in Poland. That band was a legend of
the Polish cold wave. For some reason, the name could no longer be used, but
the abbreviation—and above all, the music—leave no doubt. "Passing By" is a clear
continuation of that group’s legacy.
The “new” band consists of former members of Made in Poland,
Agressiva 69, and Jesus Chrysler Suicide. Their musical résumés are impressive,
but ultimately it all comes down to a simple question: is it good? The answer
is a definite yes. Once you start listening to this album, it’s hard to stop.
Most of the material was created in England, where a key
member of the group now lives. That’s probably why most of the songs are sung
in English—it reflects the environment in which they were written. Although London serves as a point of
reference, the music still carries that distinct “Manchester” vibe that Made in
Poland perfected years ago.
“Passing By” contains nine tracks, each different from the
next. What binds them together is the overall mood of the album. This music immediately
seeps into you; even the most subtle sounds penetrate deeply into your
consciousness. You journey from track to track with MIP—it’s an incredibly
pleasant, though dark, trip. Songs like “Look Left Look Right” and “Black
Winter from the Sun” have a unique atmosphere, as do “Angel” and the title
track.
You can hear immense precision in this music—everything
feels mathematically coordinated, even when it sounds seemingly chaotic or unstructured.
This makes listening to it an intellectual adventure. Glimpses of dark intelligence are clearly
present here, and it’s easy to fall under their spell for the duration of the
album. Though this record will continue to challenge listeners for many months
to come, there’s no doubt that MIP has created a truly outstanding album that proudly
stands on its own.
Mark Kadzielawa
