MÍNYM

Be forewarned, this is an album on which I am about to slather with an awkward amount of praise. I will however not be giving any regard for the bands skill at self-promotion. To be fair, in today's age where artists/bands are more and more required to do-it-yourself on virtually all aspects of album release, many lack the art of marketing. It is unclear whether that it is the product of hubris, apathy, or lack of experience and foresight. What is clear is that some of the best progressive music in the world is virtually invisible until months, or even years after its release. In the age of communication it seems inexcusable. And so it is with Mimedyr's debut album, Mínym; released in January of 2019, it remained unmentioned around progarchives until the year was almost over. Remarkable and unfortunate considering this turned out to be one of the true gems of the year that deserved considerably more exposure in the prog world than it received. The work and considerable time that went into the album should be duly compensated.
Enough scolding
Mimedyr, is a young quartet from the southern Norway county of Agder consisting of Kjetil Lund on bass and guitar, Espen Christiansen on guitar, Gunnar Myhre on keyboards, and Brynjar Nilsen Lid on drums. Lund and Myhre split vocal duties, although which provides lead is not entirely clear at the time of this writing. Another aspect that is not entirely clear is the actual release date as it appears the recording for Mínym took place in 2015, four years prior to the release. The music behind Mínym has apparently been written and perfected over many years, in particular the basis for the 26 minute epic title track going back as far as 2012. The attention to detail shows in the layers of passages that are delivered with both clarity and the swagger of familiarity by the performers. It is music that is well produced, but not over produced. At 53:28, Mínym is digestible and complete
The first of the album's four tracks starts with a very soft intro (aptly named Intro) of aerie arpeggios that blends into the 2nd track with a spacey ambient section using the familiar ring Rhodes and background atonal soundscapes. As the album progresses it is evident that the band as willing to veer into these avant-garde a realms. Those sensitive to such things should not despair, Mimedyr are masters of resolution and will never leave you hanging. There are many passages in the album that have a feeling of familiarity but never completely derivative. Ela, the album's second track has a distorted bass passage that has the sinews of Wetton-era King Crimson. The main chord sequence of what is in my mind the finest track on the album, Mindlemjar, builds on immediate intensity of a rivers raging rapids, heavy, but not metal; that empty into a gentle pool acoustic guitar and flute. Transitions like this permeate the album seamlessly in a way that leads the listener on a journey that is interesting and diverse, without creating any confusion about where you are in the composition. All of the songs outside of the intro are circular and complete. Prog in the spirit of the long-epic roots with none of the floundering. And the compositions are well complimented by the vocals. As one who very frequently steers toward instrumental artists due being turned off by the current conventions in modern prog vocals, it is so pleasant to be surprised by such an outstanding performance that lives in the mix and conveys themes without being an unnecessarily cliché distraction (yes, I'm looking at you growlers and wailers). It is truly indicative of how truly tasteful the overall instrumental mix is, considering how dynamic the compositions are.
Mínym has a little bit of something for everybody and is one of the true gems of 21st century prog. A highly recommended listen that encompasses a plethora of sub-styles in the progressive rock paradigm. 5 stars and hopes for a second album (with a little more marketing, at least start a mailing list) in the near future.