7/10

Across his new six-track EP 'Preparing...', pixel in space throws broken beats, live strings, guitars, vocals, samplers and electronics into the same room and let them spark against one another. It's messy in the best possible way; delivering a sound that feels vibrant, unpredictable and packed with the kind of detail that makes every replay feel slightly different.

‘Crank up’ wastes no time in establishing that restless spirit, immediately pulling us into a world where rhythm can fracture, melodies can mutate and acoustic instruments can sit comfortably beside digital noise. ‘Move’ keeps that momentum alive, while ‘Not for money’ feels like one of the clearest demonstrations of his approach, offering tactile musicianship meeting glitchy production without either side being forced to dominate.

It's a sense of musical freedom that runs through the entire EP. ‘Crossroads of hope’ broadens the mood, ‘Young shoots’ brings another burst of character with Alex Milovanov’s contribution, and ‘Chill the beat’ rounds things off with a looser, more playful finish.

But this is not electronic music assembled from a distance. You can hear the enthusiasm for instruments, recording equipment and physical experimentation in every corner. Synths, violin, guitar, vocals and drum machines all become part of the same restless conversation, reflecting decades of musical experience without ever sounding weighed down by it.

If 'Prepearing...' is supposed to be the invitation to his new album 'Well Done Journey', then pixel in space has made it almost impossible not to follow. Strange, energetic and bursting with imagination, this feels like the beginning of a journey where absolutely anything could happen next.