By nature, electronic music is focused upon the sound of tomorrow. Genres on genres, styles upon styles, very rarely do people feel the need to want to move backwards, when they can find ways to build on past innovation. Unfortunately, doing this has resulted in music sometimes coming off a bit… serious? Introverted maybe?

What made artists like Aphex Twin so appealing is his ability to take both innovative tracks and find time to also fuck around and troll willing listeners with his music as well. Russell Woods may not be the most innovative person taking on Detroit techno today, but Michigander shows he isn’t above adding a bit of conversation to his beats.

Beginning with “Prelude”, Woods honors producing duo Drexciya with a funky banger that fizzes and percolates. Afterwards, Woods break out the skittering brain dance bomb “A Terrible Hip Hop Album”, a track that reveals itself as a punchline/goof on musical pretense. The premise of “Don’t even Stunt” tackles a more serious yet no less chuckle-worthy topic concerning payday launders, but the conversations sampled thankfully don’t take away from the music and its abilities.

Michigander only has four songs, but it is just enough to show you exactly what Russell Woods can add to the listening experience. What he may have left to say on his next album? We will have to see.

– mynameisblueskye