MIP – Passing By (Analog Twins Records)

 

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