Los Angeles' Silent Servant returns to the fold with his first solo offering since his 2018 "Shadows of Death and Desire" LP for Hospital Productions. Mendez wastes no time on the opener "Cyber Luminescence" featuring Cabaret Voltaire's Stephen Mallinder on vocals, with a modern take on classic synthwave displaying a heavier production style, with fluttering kr-55 hi-hats, synthesized snares, and a chaotic punk energy. This is not without melody and catchiness, as Mallinder drives the track full on; masterfully singing about a dystopian future which we very well may be living in at this moment. "Raw Optics" is Silent Servant in true form layering an atmospheric backdrop over driving raw sequences and vicious drum programming. "Solitude Illuminated" is the real centerpiece of the record though, as Mendez goes into a new territory finding a balance between uplifting slow house music and his signature shadowy techno. Where his classic "Lust Abandon" was more Distant Dreams pt. II, "Solitude Illuminated" is more akin to something like Dearborn's house classic "New Dimension" but taking a fresh production approach on this bassline driven seven minute anthem. Truly a welcome return by Mendez. Each record comes with a large heavy grade paper fold out poster.
