THYX – The Way Home

This album already upon first listening became one of my life soundtracks and this is an album that I can imagine spinning years and years from now and still feel like it's meaningful and fresh to me. The lyrics are just so perfectly capturing the essence of what it means to be alone and different and it just reverberates with me on such a deep level that it's almost impossible to describe in words. In his search for the mysterious note between notes, Stefan Poiss has created probably his most beautiful album to date and I will carry this album in my heart until I die. It's beautiful, timeless and masterfully crafted from start to end.

Right out of the gate, let me stress that this album is all about nuances. Look at the name of the band, imagine the possibilities of what that name means... is it your ex? is it feminine surround sound? is it, well, my goodness, just what is it. I'll keep it short and sweet this time out. Addictive. I have now played this record five times and will continue to until I fall asleep. These are modern hymns of technological prowess, they slink out of your speakers and slip beneath your skin like a subtle misting rain. What's the main difference between THYX and Mind.In.A.Box? Poiss puts a lot more on the line creatively as he steps out from behind those vocoders and effects to sing. That's right, sing. And he has a voice, so put those hissing snakes away, black clad kiddies. These tracks are far more direct than what was on Revelations, I suspect that djs the world over are going to punish their patrons with this album for some time to come. There are some similarities to the parent project simply because of how iconic and unique Mind.In.A.Box have become.

To me, this is the second side project Poiss has undertaken; Retro may have had the MIAB name on the sleeve but there's no way it could have been anything but an offshoot. A very enjoyable offshoot, I might add. I'm guessing he was simply without a name at that time for what he wanted to do outside of his main creative endeavor. As Index AI are to Coconaut, so that Mind is to THYX. It's not a happy project, the lyrics are shot through with questions and doubt. There are declarations but despite it all, he has a cynical outlook of the world on The Way Home. You almost begin to wonder if he really wants to find his way there or if he'd prefer to remain -oh god this is terrible- Lost Alone. I'm so pleased that he didn't try to go with a full-on change in sound, this is just different enough to keep the fans happy but it's radically different than what his storyline has been building towards. You'll hear a greater amount of what could almost be called soul infusing itself into the work but it's not a collection of torch songs, no, just more gorgeous synthetic architecture to get lost in.

He really has his gear down, whatever it is, because for all the slight homages and reference points (Vangelis is on one, don't even try denying it pal) he wrestles incredible humanity out of the cold machinery which only hums to life when he activates it. It must have been something to master this in the studio with him, because as it stands The Way Home is a brilliant, lingering vapor trail which arches across my apartment before disintegrating into the ether leaving only a hint on the wind. To be confronted by this level of technical proficiency in a professional setting with the monitors galloping towards you like a charging column of dust issuing from a barbarian horde is how I imagine things going but sadly, I get this record and no further insight... of course there is some contained in the booklet for The Way Home, but you'll have to just get your own copy for that, now won't you?