Mental Soundtrack for a Daily Cycling Commute is quite the experience. The album is packed with eclectic musical inspirations and stylistic ideas distilled into a surprisingly coherent and original musical style.
The musical form is constantly shifting, never afraid to break from an established pattern to tell you about a new idea. I frequently found myself checking if the next song had started only to find I'm only halfway through the current song, but at no point did I ever doubt that I was still listening to the same album.
With a touch of Techno, French House, Vaporwave, Kraftwerk, Pink Floyd, The Beetles, Old Western, Chiptune, and one epic pastry shop (those pastries must be really special) all getting their chance to shine at different moments, it's honestly impressive that the album kept a robust identity throughout.
The album has a sense of childlike playfulness, goofy and jubilant, and always earnest. At the same time, there's a dark undercurrent. A detuned uneasiness, reminiscent of Omori. Each track has a nostalgic warmth, but in a slightly delirious way, like you're remembering good times, but maybe you're remembering a dream or maybe you're dreaming right now.
If you're looking to put some headphones on and bike around town aimlessly at 3am, this would be a great pick.