Six years have come and gone since globe-trotting producer Mikel dropped his LP, “Poké & Chill.” Now, with five more albums under his belt, Mikel is circling back around for a second take that’ll get fans just as buzzed as before.
“Poké & Chill 2” hit streaming services in late September, and it’s been well worth the wait. This isn’t your usual instrumental record by a long shot — like Mikel’s first iteration, and following the arc of his complete discography, this record pays homage to the blissfully quirky video game music that soundtracked childhoods from East to West, if his song titles “Gotta Catch ‘Em All,” “Violet City” and “Lake Verity” are anything to go by.
Diving into the sound, Mikel’s visions of a Pokémon-esque landscape are brought vividly to life with a vibe as retro as technicolor, whilst capturing every splash of nostalgia those old-school games instill in their admirers.
Lo-fi beats craft the ultimate setting to “chillax,” painting evening soundscapes flocked with light jazz, hip-hop/chillhop, brief hints of Danny Elfman, and nods to the classical sphere. Old school synth tones replicate the joy of ‘90s Nintendo, refashioned to create a relaxed soundtrack as hauntingly emotional as it is innately uplifting. It’s music that starts off as a perfect study soundtrack, until Mikel sweeps you away from your tasks with his unsuspecting musical intricacies and mood flows, commanding listeners’ attention like late-night moths to his gleaming light.
But why let your music be inspired by video games and nostalgia? As Mikel reveals himself, “Growing up as a kid/teenager was not always easy for me. Video games and music are the two main things that got me through difficult times. I try to translate music from my childhood into adult life and create/share new memories. I want to reach others who also grew up with these games, let them re-live nostalgic times, and hopefully also help them switch off from daily stress and struggles.”
And let us confirm, Mikel absolutely nailed his vision – not only crafting an outstanding lo-fi beats record, but also complementing it with a full-length flashback animation, which you can check out here.
Our verdict: Recommended.
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BELOW: Listen to Mikel and check out his music on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube and more. Please support Mikel by visiting his website and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.
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