4x4=12

As a fan of deadmau5's previous studio albums (Random Album Title and For Lack of a Better Name), I knew I wanted to buy this album, if only for the sake of having another one. The track "Some Chords", released as a single previously, was good enough that I had high hopes for the rest of the album. In the end, I have discovered that "4x4=12" represents a new style for deadmau5. Joel Zimmerman's experiments with collaborative tracks and alternate genres (dubstep) have turned out well, mixing up the sound while still maintaining the distinctive flavor that his fans know and love.

The album begins with "Some Chords", a track that any fan of "Ghosts N Stuff" will immediately enjoy. The balance is shifted, though, with "Sofi Needs a Ladder". This track, one of two in the album featuring fellow artist SOFI, sets itself apart with aggressive beats and angry female vocals. While not a typical deadmau5 track at all, it still has some potential, though I personally didn't enjoy it as much.

After this departure is finished, the album kicks back into the mau5's usual territory with the rowdy "A City in Florida". Deep, fast-paced beats and full bass create a wild ride, which blends into a more stacatto track, "Bad Selection". Next up is a collaborative track entitled "Animal Rights", one of my favorites from the album. With a sound reminiscent of Daft Punk, this one is full of win, with arpeggiated electronic noises and eccentric melodic bits.

The lighthearted mood shifts with the next track, "I said", another collaborative piece. The lights go out for this one, which has a creepy, visceral feeling. The surreal tones continue with the intense original track "Cthulhu Sleeps", whose wobbling, pulsing vibe carries the beat well. The album hits a peaceful section for a moment with the next track, "Right This Second", featuring a synth-heavy melodic intro that builds up tension and drops into an urgent beat.

Next comes a notable switch in the form of the track "Raise Your Weapon". Featuring vocals by Greta Svabo Bech, the track is soothing, a bit mournful, and skillfully executed. Halfway through, deadmau5 hits listeners with a grinding dubstep beat that throws the piece into chaos and eventually resolves itself into a calm flow of sound.

That calm is broken by SOFI's second appearance with "One Trick Pony", a track that threatens to rip the album apart with its grating rap lyrics and unvaried roughness. Anyone brave enough to listen to the whole track is subjected to an onslaught of violent noise tied together by Sofi Toufa's angry rapping.

Perhaps the chaos can be appreciated, though, when the final track is reached. "Everything Before" settles the noise down into a classic deadmau5 house beat, with some eerie melodic elements to complete the mood. The track's execution recalls Joel's work in "Random Album Title" and is easily recognized by longtime listeners. With this return to his roots, deadmau5 closes an album that is quite the ride.

Overall, this is an album worth buying. Several tracks are absolutely mind-blowing, and though one or two lack the same appeal deadmau5's work usually has, the compilation still manages to shine. I give it 4 out of 5.

I've been on the fence where Deadmau5 is concerned. His production style is simply amazing, but his song-writing is really, really formulaic--even more so than most progressive house. He has a style, but he just sticks to it a little too close for my happiness. However, this appears to have changed with 4x4=12, his best album to date.

Of particular note are the tracks with vocalist SOFI (no idea who she is, but she works well with the Deadmau5 style) and Greta Svabo Bech, on the surprisingly sensitive "Raise Your Weapon." Who would have guessed Deadmau5 would feature a song about the difficulties of a relationship, featuring delicate piano chords, and it would still work?

One of the interesting innovations to the Deadmau5 style is his foray into dubstep with "One Trick Pony." For a producer with such amazingly engineered bass, the move to dubstep is just perfect. I would love to see more of this from Deadmau5 on his next album. "Animal Rights" is another standout track with a great lo-fi synth melody and that phenomenal bass drum that he does so well.

If you're a seasoned fan, you should absolutely buy this. If you're skeptical of Deadmau5, this will clearly demonstrate that the guy has real song-writing talent. Finally, if you're new to Deadmau5, this is the one to start with. If you like anything resembling progressive house or tech house, you'll definitely enjoy this. It's just really good music!

there is no musicality or flow to this album. previous deadmau5 albums like random album title and for lack of a better name were more than just club tracks and would stream from one song to another. if you want to hear a club style sound type of album release than this is for you. but if you were expecting the same genius production of previous albums than you might be a bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong though, there are some really great tracks on this cd like some chords but there are alot of songs that seem unfinished or lacking in effort. there is a bit too much repetition and songs like cthulu sleeps (though technically brilliant) are musically dry.

its good but not great.

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