Thomas Gandey & Mia Mendi's 'Cultum' – the devotion to deep electronica
Earlier this year, Mia Mendi launched their new concept label, Hydera, and brought out its first release on 4 December 2020. ‘Cultum’ was born out of an explosive collaboration between the label’s founders and cultural icon, Thomas Gandey, and establishes Hydera at the forefront of cutting-edge electronica.
Thomas Gandey is an Electronic Titan, known for his electrifying synths and otherworldly atmospheres, with an immense repertoire ranging from the albums he produced for David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim to his reputation as an outstanding DJ and Live Artist. The multidimensional duo, Mia Mendi, are continuously growing – expanding their style and their skill as they unify captivating melodies with haunting ambiences and charged drums. It is no surprise, therefore, that when they are met by Thomas Gandey, the result is one of immense mysticism and raw genius.
Beginning with a low, urgent drum loop which is then greeted by space-like synths and haunting vocals that descend in tone, ‘Cultum’ immediately catapults you into a futuristic realm, crackling with electricity and pulsating with glowing lights. The vocals enigmatically whisper in your ear “I will find you there”, almost as though the faceless voice is aware of neon wilderness that the music has transported you to. The singing is soon accompanied by a frantic melody that energetically hops from note to note, driving the track forward, along with the steady heartbeat of the beat. The textures of the track feel carefully curated as it develops, and the listener is lost in the futuristic soundscape. Gandey’s vocals are sensually mysterious and complements the ambience – cementing this trio as a deep electronica tour de force. This a track that evokes memories of the dancefloor as you close your eyes and let your mind transcend.
We are treated by two outstanding remixes of ‘Cultum’, the first by Innervisions producer Santiago Garcia, whose intelligent sound relishes in deep bass and trippy melodies. His remix, ‘Breaking Touch’, introduces Latin American percussion thus bringing in a new and exciting element to ‘Cultum’. Garcia loses the pulsating heartbeat of the original drum loop and replaces it with a more fractured beat. His interpretation of ‘Cultum’ rocks you back and forth, like the crashing waves of a dark ocean. Gandey’s vocals remain relatively untouched and Garcia holds onto the arpeggiated synth melody, though the low sustained notes, introduced around 3 minutes 40 seconds in, adds an intensity to the track that was not quite heard in the original.
The second remix, produced by Danish techno duo, Baime, is the darkest track out of the three. Unlike the other two, Baime introduces their version of ‘Cultum’ with an ominous fuzz that smudges into an unrelenting drum beat, punctuated with glimpses of the vocals. Whilst the previous two tracks conjure up images of a futuristic dancefloor, Baime’s remix pulls you down into a gritty underworld with bold beats that induce a desire to move, and lose, your whole self. Gandey’s vocals have been distorted to fit in with the more sinister ambience that revels in the power of its raw, unpolished sound. Baime has constructed a much more industrial soundscape, filled with penetrating sounds and a melancholic darkness that envelopes you. This remix feels a lot rougher around the edges, though it maintains the mysticism of the original.
‘Cultum’ is an utterly electrifying single that is only enhanced by each evolution. I was initially curious about the choice of word for the title and wondered if Gandey and Mia Mendi were gesturing to the Latin word for cult or worship. Together, they have built a place of worship that beckons you with ethereal synths and lingering vocals and unites you under one roof of deep electronica. I encourage you too to submit to the music and let the sounds wash over you.
I’m evidently not the only one who has thoroughly enjoyed these tracks, as Mia Mendi’s and Thomas Gandey’s original reached number 1 on Beatport’s melodic house and techno top 10 in under 10 days of its release, whilst Santiago Garcia’s and Baime’s remixes are climbing high in the charts. This is an incredibly successful and sophisticated debut for Hydera; I highly recommend ‘Cultum’ to anyone who is yearning for the dancefloor during these long winter nights and I look forward to listening to what Hydera produces next.