Still Alive

The rumors are true. DJ Mayonnaise is, indeed, Still Alive. Eight years after the release of his debut-- Anticon's inaugural instrumental LP, 55 Stories-- Mayo has returned in more ways than one. First, to his hometown of Portland, Maine--where he rediscovered inspiration amongst the dusty vinyl bins and damp seascapes of his youth--and now, to the waiting world with sophomore album in hand. Still Alive is both a fitting follow-up to Stories and a reinvention of sorts. While DJ Mayonnaise is still a master of sample and scratch, he's turned his attention to the art of composition and the subtlety of details. And though Still Alive has its moments of quiet, rainy-day beauty, these serve as counterpoints to a brightness that permeates the songs. Simply put, this album, too, is alive.