Here’s some long overdue new material from Chicago’s Microphone Misfitz in the shape of five-track EP Midwest Gamer Mess and, as the title might suggest, they might have been overindulging in the (retro) digital entertainment. Well – it’s a slippery slope. Uptempo opener Parallels…With Battle Toads rustles up some retro gaming franchise thrills by focussing on 90s Ninja Turtles cash-in Battle Toads while the next track Sensu Beans heads in the opposite direction with blissed-out paean to the health-giving properties of Dragon Ball food of champions – senzu beans. Of the remaining three, Tecmo Bowl Soul goes full gamer retro by paying tribute to legendary American football arcade mainstay Tecmo Bowl, Guile appears to be delivered first person as if from the mouth of Street Fighter character Major Guile and closer Fun & Games emphasises that devotion to computer games is no laughing matter. All this ancient game history in 2024? Why – it’s almost like listening to a hip-hop version of Ready Player One.
(Out now HERE)
