I can actually pinpoint the moment in time when this DJ/producer transmuted right before my very eyes. It was like watching pokemon – evolving from a relatively small, innocuous state into a far more formidable, dynamic one. Keep in mind, this is all in regard to my realization of Minnesota‘s talents. I am by no means saying said skills were absent before my epiphany of sorts transpired.
However, at that split second in time, which personally, will forever resound in my tendencies or persuasions towards EDM as a whole, the work of Christian Bauhofer went from being a peripheral, transient matter in my life to one completely opposite in nature. Now that I think about it, this has never happened to me before.
Without delving too deeply into this notable experience with Minnesota’s live music at last year’s Spring Awakening Music Festival (June 13th-15th @ Chicago’s very own Soldier Field – Ha, sounds like I’m advertising, but that would imply I get paid), it occurred because of various reasons. To begin, it was one of the first sets for that day’s worth of unreal talents. This generally implies an artist is either: less popular or more simply, less talented. I quickly learned that the latter was not in the cards for production phenom, Minnesota.
Having just arrived at the sunny, humid shores of Lake Michigan, I convened with a group of friends and, firmly clutching two ice cold beers in each hand, unknowingly ascended upon an integral moment in time. Christian’s set was off the wall insanity. The “critical moment” in question occurred when Minnesota dropped an (at the time) underground face melter, MUST DIE!‘s remix to Bro Safari – The Drop. I, along with everyone else in the gathering crowd, lost their collective minds and grooved accordingly to the game changing beats being laid down by Mr. Bauhofer.
As always, another long-winded, pompously verbose tale brings us to the true matter at hand, Minnesota’s latest monumental release – “Voyager EP.” I unfortunately have not been able to sit down and synthesize a proper response until now, and for that, I am deeply apologetic. In an attempt to ameliorate the situation, I offer the entire EP for free on my SoundCloud.
Are you happy now?
(runs away crying with tail between legs, much like a schoolgirl – *fade to black*)
This latest installment in Minnesota’s repertoire is by far his most progressive and encompassing electronic dance album to date. Each track, despite the rate or genre, lifts the listener into Christian’s own stratospheric, space-aged dream state. For some odd reason the entire album reminded me of riding Space Mountain at Disney World. It must have been the way Mr. Bauhofer focused in on the light, airy synthesizers and almost organic, wood-flute (not arranged in triplets, thank GOD!) arrangements that can be found on many of the tracks.
The single most impressive part of the new “Voyager EP” by Minnesota is the depth and range of instruments used. Honestly, I don’t think i’ve ever heard anything like it. Each and every song is entirely unique with an eclectic smattering of sound throughout. Brass, Drums, Strings, Wood-Wind, you name it, Christian as included it on the album.
Moreover, picking a jam to be my personal favorite on the album was nothing short of an impossibility, and this is a another new concept to me. As soon as I think I’ve become partial towards one song as compared to another, I change my damn mind again, and again, and again. That my friends, is talent. Minnesota has accomplished something with his new Voyager EP that very few EDM artists will ever be capable of. It’s a bit intangible, but if you pay attention, you’ll notice it instantly.
It almost seems as if every possible wavelength of sound has been achieved on “Voyager”. Minnesota does an unreal job of filling up each tune with sound, until it was ready to spill over like an overflowing glass of water.
It’s awesome. Enjoy every second of it, please.
For The Wubz 