Short Reviews [Soniq Theater - 2025 - "Explorer"]

I was working through my folders recently when I came across this album which I thought I had reviewed a long time ago but having run some checks I realised this had somehow fallen through the cracks, for which I can only apologise as I know there will be a new one coming soon! For the vast majority of his musical career keyboard player Alfred Mueller has been a solo performer, although he started off in Rachel’s Birthday, and although he does utilise guests on some releases, this time he is back providing everything. He released his first solo album in 2000, his next in 2002, and since then, like clockwork, there is a new album at the beginning of January each year, and this is his 25th. Alfred’s albums are release on CD-R or digitally, are available free of charge, and the covers are basic and all follow a similar design. Given this, combined with the large number of albums, one may think this is just a hobbyist as opposed to a serious musician, but to my mind there is no doubt that Alfred has a great deal to offer and I still find it strange that I am one of the few reviewers who seem to write about his music, and over the years I have actually reviewed each and every one of them. I am not a fan of drum machine/electronic percussion but putting that to one side, here is a release where he is exploring his love of Tangerine Dream alongside that of Jean Michel Jarre, and we even get proper percussion on “Supersaurus”, which definitely lifts it from the norm. His music oftens includes somewhat ambient cues, but there is always a lightness to it and a somewhat summery feel which makes it always enjoyable the very first time it is played. His music often makes me smile while I am listening to it, and it is very nice indeed to be able to react that way instead of attempting to work out what is going on as it is very accessible, and while somewhat simplistic in approach always has a way of getting into the brain. It is electronic keyboard music which somehow has never truly gained the recognition it deserves, but anyone into this style of music will surely find much here to enjoy.