Mr. MiLK – Protruding Planet


Mr. MiLK’s new album Protruding Planet dropped on Halloween and it’s a 16 track instrumental release that pairs perfectly with the crisp fall air and shorter days we find ourselves in. Raised in Las Vegas, 18-year old Mr. MiLK has been making music since joining the school orchestra at 12. Combining electric beeps and blurps with acoustic guitars, bass, cello and drums, Mr. MiLK has developed an impressive sound for himself in a relatively short amount of time.

The album starts off with two covers, Nine Inch Nails’ “Head Like A Hole” and Korn’s “Freak On A Leash,” and both show Mr. MiLK’s proficiency with synthesizers and sequencers. Having instrumental versions really lets the production shine, and while neither stray too far from the originals, they are fun to listen to. Hearing the choices Mr. MiLK makes with these first two tracks certainly establish his credibility and proficiency and he firmly plants his flag and gives the listener a great foundation for the trip Mr. MiLK is about to take us on with the remaining 14 songs.

“Out of the Sand” is the first original composition, and presents a more spacious and ambient soundscape. Mr. MiLK sonically sculpts a laid-back groove that brings to mind something that might come out of a slowed down Primus or Red Hot Chili Peppers jam session. The journey continues with “Into the Water,” where there’s an abundance of dynamic moments, both in terms of sheer volume as well as tempo. Mr. MiLK has laid out a precise journey for the listener and it’s one best experienced from start to finish. The songs transition and weave into one another with each exploring a newly revealed area, but still sharing the same foundation laid out in the first two tracks. “Motive” ends with 20 seconds of wind before slowly easing into the next track. It’s as if Mr. MiLK is reinforcing the balance between organic and man-made and he does an excellent job of keeping the sounds interesting throughout, incredibly important on an instrumental album. “When It’s Easy” inserts similar environmental soundscapes in it’s last 45 seconds or so. The last quarter of “Broken Barrier” has the sound of birds chirping before switching over to crickets in “Half Asleep” and the remaining tracks on the album all seem to focus more and more on the sounds you’d hear outside at night. Perhaps one of those nights we’re experiencing now as the days are becoming shorter and the nights are growing longer.

After listening several times, I’m still not sure how to classify this album, and that’s not a bad thing at all. It’s partially electronic and partially ambient.  Mr. MiLK brings you on a guided journey, setting off from his well-stocked basecamp and exploring various soundscapes using an old treasure map originally drawn by Brian Eno with handwritten notes in the margins from Trent Reznor. Protruding Planet is certainly an enjoyable and adventurous album, and it really doesn’t matter if you ever find the buried treasure under the big “X” or not. Just press play again and enjoy the journey.

Find out more here.

Mr. MiLK
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