EP REVIEW: Mirage – Plini

Many have cursed the ever-expanding evolution of technology when it comes to content creation, particularly in recent years with the arrival of A.I., but as far as the self-proclaimed subset of ‘bedroom musicians’ are concerned it has been a complete blessing, allowing for artists to build a fan-base without worrying about how much of an investment it would entail. Aussie virtuoso PLINI has gone from noodling in the comfort of his own home to performing all around the world, catching the eye of some of the industry’s most revered guitarists. He also managed to have one of his compositions ‘borrowed’ by a certain DOJA CAT during her MTV EMA appearance. He has had a steady output of releases throughout his tenure as well as offering his services to artists such as Daniel Tompkins, Jakub Zytecki and Tim Henson, and next up is five-track EP Mirage which is available now. What does this effort bring to the table?

The Red Fox gets things off to an uplifting, spirited start with gentle piano flourishes, flamboyant bass licks, and punchy drum beats before the vibrant guitar tones come bursting through to the surface. As the track progresses it seems to get more eccentric and sporadic in style. Five Days Of Rain is equally multi-faceted, switching gears at a moment’s notice to keep you guessing. This proves to be as perplexing as it is impressive.

Still Life possesses a sprightly, colourful palette, building in heaviness at just the right junctures. The introduction of likeminded fret wizard Tosin Abasi is a welcome if not slightly brain-melting experience. Aqua Vista utilises a more approachable, less frenzied structure which is considerably easier to digest. But fear not, it is still crammed with waves of acrobatic mastery. Ember whisks you away with its complex yet endearing instrumentation. Energetic bursts of melody wash over you in their own remarkably comforting manner.

Mirage is a bit of a mixed bag. Those who have appreciated the sprawling escapism that PLINI has offered on previous releases may struggle to find the same joy in the unpredictable experimentation on offer. If you’re quite happy with the wild creativity this style of music can bring then you should find no qualms but it may prove to be a particularly divisive offering.

Rating: 7/10

Mirage is out now via self-release.

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