Outlines [Available August 15]
Fresh off of a debut with dance giant Spinnin’ Records’ newest sub-label, Spinnin’ Deep; Mike Mago returns to TMN to premiere what will perhaps be the biggest record yet from the Amsterdam based house producer: “Outlines”. If you’re familiar with his late 2013 single “The Show”, then hopefully the weight of those words resonates a bit, because we aren’t blowing smoke in any way shape or form here. “Outlines”, which features an utterly shiny and stirring vocal contribution from Dragonette’s lead singer Martina Sorbara, plays more like the “pop/club-house” anthems which have gained such a strong footing in the U.K. behind acts like Disclosure and Hot Natured amongst many others- as opposed to the more classically house-tinged deeper soundscape which shot Mago into the limelight. No standardized four-four kick drum on this one (save for a club edit which will undoubtedly be released as well), just a lovely pad fill leading into Sorbara’s inimitable croon, segueing gracefully into the tune’s heart; which comes in the form of a hypnotically addictive lead synth line. By the end of Mike Mago’s three minute jam, we wanted nothing more than for there to be another verse. But that’s the beauty of “Outlines”; it’s replay value seems infinite and is a more than worthy addition to an already stellar catalog. We’ve obviously got a serious musical crush on the new sounds the Dutchman has been tinkering with, as it’s always refreshing to see highly skilled artists not pigeonholing themselves in one style or genre. Mike Mago’s signature quote comes into play symbiotically in regard to “Outlines”: “it’s not about the genre, it’s about the taste!”.
Well said sir.
