In the digital streaming age, albums are whatever artists make of them. For his latest mau5ville series, deadmau5 sees releases as a combination of originals and remixes. It’s like a series of EPs or a batch of singles released all at once that celebrates the label head honcho as well as his friends and collaborators, whether they be official members of the mau5trap family or not.
The series’ second installment, Mau5ville: Level 2, is a nine-track offering with mostly deadmau5 material alongside star remixes and new ones from Gallya and Monstergetdown. It leads with “Drama Free,” an atmospheric beat matched with melodic vocals from fellow Canadian Lights. The song is paired with a video that features the same strange, surreal animation as mau5ville: Level 1 single “Monophobia” featuring Rob Swire.
“Drama Free” gets a funky remix from gritty house hero Chris Lorenzo, then it’s on to “10.8,” a super glitchy deadmau5 original featuring Mr. Bill. It’s followed by solo effort “GG,” which dives deep into classic deadmau5 trance vibes. “GG” gets a bumpin’ remix from Gallya and a moody groove rinse from Monstergetdown. Those two then follow up with their own originals. Gallya’s “Sunlight” is dark and rhythmic, while Monstergetdown’s “Boui” is a slow burning, tropical build. The compilation finishes with an extended instrumental of “Drama Free.”
mau5ville: Level 1 dropped in July with a similar compilation format. Featured alongside “Monophobia” was the deadmau5 original “Nyquist,” as well as remixes from mau5trap homies Rinzen, ATTLAS and Latroit. It also featured originals from GTA and Getter.
There’s more where this came from, and deadmau5 promises mau5ville: Level 3 to come in 2019. For now, get lost in the expansive spaces of mau5ville: Level 2 below.
