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After the drum'n'bass updates on his previous full-length, Royal Astronomy in large part returns Mike Paradinas to the green pastures of his youth -- electro-slanted melodic techno and post-rave ambience with an eye on classics of his early career like Tango 'N Vectif. From the cinematic opener "Scaling" and the simple melodies of the single "The Fear" (with vocals by a Japanese-born, British-based author named Kazumi), Paradinas keeps it simple throughout. Indeed, the pendulum bass and synth-strings on "Gruber's Mandolin" could have been taken stock-and-barrel from either of his first two Rephlex albums. Still, there are breakbeats all over this record -- and on two of the best tracks, the gorgeous production titled "Carpet Muncher" and "Autumn Acid," a song slightly reminiscent of Aphex Twin's "Windowlicker." There's also plenty of hip-hop attitude on other tracks, from the Gang Starr sample on "The Motorbike Track" to the turntable spinbacks on "The Hwicci Song." For the most part, it's obvious that Paradinas' sampler has moved on and gained for it. [The Japanese release adds two songs: a remix of "The Fear" and "Morning Frolic."] ~ John Bush, All Music Guide