Alexander Brandon & Michiel van den Bos – Conspiravision: Deus Ex Remixed

A pretty decent remix album of a classic video game soundtrack. Rather than compare the two albums in a vacuum I think it's important to take in the era these were made in. The original Deus Ex soundtrack is moodier, grimier, it's more evocative of a 2000s era future aesthetic of gray skies and dirty streets. By comparison Conspiravision has cleaner mixes and pulse pounding melodies evocative of neon lit dance clubs.

Night Assignment (NYC Streets) is a good example of this difference in philosophy, the Conspiravision version lacks the hard drop of the original that feels like it's propelling the player along. On a more positive comparison is Synapse (Hong Kong), an almost comedically stereotypical song full of Asian flourishes that in Conspiravision is practically rewritten and weaves beautifully through the leitmotif of Deus Ex's catchy main theme.

Overall though beautiful packaging and an excellent pressing. I may not return to this as often as the original but it's worth a listen.

I do like this remix LP, but I suppose my expectations were a little higher due to it being based on one of my favourite soundtracks of all time. I'm singling out Nicolette's Rapture and Night Assignment for being especially disappointing; Nicolette's Rapture starts out really promising with beautiful strings but then it drops and shoves the main synth hooks into the background with this big empty "space" out in front. You'll know what I mean when you hear it. And Night Assignment: the amount of times I've jammed to New York Streets in-game across multiple levels and replays with its fantastic desolate, upbeat feel makes this downtempo remix a downright snore. God, the disappointment after waiting and never getting a decent drop almost hurts. When the kick drum comes in in the original, *mwah*, perfection. Also, I'm a bit pissed off that Missile Silo wasn't touched, the melody in that is probably my favourite on the whole soundtrack.

It's not all decidedly average though, tracks that I get right down with include Mission Critical, Paris Club, and Assault At Oceanlab. That's probably the 2000s breakbeats fan in me doing the loving by default, though they are great remixes.

On the whole it's an okay alternative to the original soundtrack that I'll go back to on occasion, but really cannot compete with the material it's based on. Fittingly, considering the cover art, the material has been updated into neon-washed sci-fi with dreamy synths and little edge, whereas the original was still very synthy, but had a far more gritty, cyberpunk flavour to it. Which you prefer probably depends on whether you're more drawn to nostalgia or the new.

This pressing is absolutely gorgeous too, really nice work by everyone involved. Absolutely beautiful colours and effects on both packaging and plates. I like to keep it in sight at home as a "check that shit out" conversation starter.

Oh my what a beautiful thing to have. Pressing is legit. I wish more fans had access to these vinyl pressings.

Don't get fooled like me - there's no " holograph" as you may think. It's just a rainbow luster. The photo in itself is blurred so I can't see the sense of this.

Exceptional pressing quality, and they are very nice to look at as well. Definitely pick one up if you're a fan.