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Supreme Balloon by Matmos is a very impressive record, not only because of its challenging premise but the music is modest and thoughtful. Unlike the bands previous releases, which provide the standard dance beat electronic listeners crave, Supreme Balloon strays from conceptual responsibility. Internationally based synth-bands such as Air and Krafterwerk wouldn’t dare attempt the Supreme Balloon challenge: record an album entirely composed of synthesizers and samples, no microphones used at any point. Not taking anything away from those other bands, but Matamos latest release carries an uncanny element of charm I have yet to hear from any group in the genre. Matmos also doesnt feel the need to compensate by any means despite the creative restriction. While listening to the record on the beach on my buds, the sounds of the waves and ocean could be heard along with Matmos’ electronic music pumping through my ears. The ability for this band to produce beautifully inorganic music that can at the same time adapt into one of the most soothing, rich settings is pure magic.

Matmos are Drew Daniel and M.C. Schmidt, two nerdy looking guys who fit in next to their exotic and antiquated synths used on the record. Supreme Balloon uses array of these electronic rigs including Arp, Korg, Roland, Waldorf and Moog as well as other rarities from the nerdy musical handbook. Its perhaps this throwback delivery on the record that at times, makes it sound like it ought to have been used in a video game for your first Super Nintendo. But no, this music is much more out there, and the psychedelic elements would have no place with Mario, no matter how many mushrooms hops on.

The duo’s ability to compose, not only song write can be heard best on the albums title track, Supreme Balloon The 24-minute epic is a journey full of arpeggiating themes and immense sub-woofing that creeps in like a storm cloud. Other tunes that stand out on the record are the pulse driven and hyper pounding beat of Mister Mouth and the first single Exciter Lamp feels dangerously creepy one moment only to jump into happy tremolo effected chord progressions the next. These musical spasms keep you really guessing WTF is going to happen next. Certain songs obviously are less strong than others such as Les Folies Francaises which takes numerous classical themes and alters the tonality (like any synth player would do) to the point of it being more obnoxious than cool. To summarize, Supreme Balloon is just that, supreme! If you hate if the first listen you will love it the second, and that is because once your have accepted the all-electronic concept, you will let it into your ears and heart.