Mu

Out of Breach (Manchester's Revenge)

BY Cam LindsayPublished Mar 1, 2005

An artist getting screwed over by a record label isn’t exactly new and groundbreaking subject matter for an album, but it’s certainly never been as exhilarating as the way Sheffield’s Mu has done it. Of course, that isn’t Mutsumi Kanamori’s only target — almost anyone is, if she isn’t a happy camper. After confusing and mostly wowing many with her 2003 debut album, Afro Finger and Gel, the Japanese-born singer has returned with an even stranger record. Again, her producer/husband and legendary house DJ Maurice Fulton provides the music, twisting the boundaries of house and electronic music further and further. Out of Breach sees the pair experimenting to create the perfect electro-fied monster, gathering disjointed beats, fat bass lines, punk-filled adrenaline and Kanamori’s bizarre broken English vocal delivery to form a menacing creature. Opening the record with the blunt message, "Welcome to the Mu World bitch!” she addresses and threatens her enemies all whilst Psycho’s piercing shower stabbing sounds drop in the background. While her merciless lyrics even carry over into defending the King of Pop ("Stop Bothering Michael Jackson”), she finds time to praise the world’s most famous social diva on last year’s club hit and the album’s most accessible dance song, "Paris Hilton.” While it may not be the easiest record to listen to, it’s hard to deny the thrill Mu’s music provides, especially when you hear the homicidal circus theme tune in "Like A Little Bitch” or her dry heaves accentuated by a madman’s drumming in "Throwing Up.” Revenge has never tasted so sweet!

Was this record approached any differently than the last one? Kanamori: Yes, both albums’ concepts are different. Out Of Breach's concept is my whole anger with the Tiger Sushi label. That was the reason to start recording; the first song we did was "Tigerbastard,” and I just kept writing about them till half of the album. I couldn’t stop it, because I was that much pissed about them.

Who are the bitches you welcome to Mu World? Everyone who messes my life up. Everyone who lies to me. Everyone who abuses their power for their bad will. Everyone who flatters people they don't like for their political reasons. Everyone who wastes lives.

What made you write songs about Paris Hilton and Michael Jackson? I am a huge fan of both of them. Paris Hilton, I've been fan of for years, even before she became this famous. She has a style and attitude, and is a very, very beautiful woman. I like her playing with media and the public really well. Michael Jackson, I'm sick of seeing him be a target of racism and money.
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