Mirah
's music has always had an intriguing balance of ambition and intimacy, both of which come to the fore on
Joyride
, a double-disc collection of remixes and reinterpretations of songs from
You Think It's Like This But It's Really Like This
,
Advisory Committee
, and
C'Mon Miracle
. Her collaborators on the project include some of her closest friends and collaborators, such as
Mt. Eerie
(aka
Phil Elverum
, who worked on all three of those albums) and
the Blow
's
Khaela Maricich
, as well as artists like
Anna Oxygen
Pash
Guy Sigsworth
; all of them bring different perspectives -- some more experimental, some more accessible -- to
's winsome voice and lyrics. Several tracks here rival, or improve on, the album versions of these songs.
'
"La Familia"
gets two of the best remixes, which are similarly low-key and bittersweet, taking their cues from the song's musings on friendship rather than its sunny, guitar-driven
indie pop
. It's not really surprising that
's take on the song is one of the best moments on
, since its delicately skittering, minor-key electronics are very similar to the work he did with
Imogen Heap
as
Frou Frou
.
Maricich
's reinvention of
"The Garden"
is another standout; featuring her vocals layered over
's, it's more like a duet than a conventional remix.
Shawn Parke
's versions of
"Nobody Has to Stay"
and
"Mt. St. Helens,"
Lucky Dragons
' subtle but effective revamp of
"Pollen,"
Emily Kingan
's serene reworking of
"Advisory Committee"
are other highlights. While there are a few disappointments, such as
's overly glitchy
"Don't Die in Me"
and a logy version of
"Cold Cold Water,"
it's to be expected that the album's experimental nature makes some remixes less satisfying than others. Overall, though,
is still a treat for
fans. ~ Heather Phares