TuneLab
MIJA bends genres in The Lab NYC
The promise of a DJ who ‘bends genres’ is often overhyped, but MIJA’s Lab NYC session actually delivers, serving as a thrilling, patchwork quilt of electronic influences for the ADHD generation. This is the sound of someone with a truly eclectic record collection, played for a crowd that rewards curiosity over cohesion. The vibe is likely one of collective confusion turning into joyous discovery, with strobes cutting through the haze. Technically, it’s all over the map, averaging 135.1 BPM but spanning from 122 to 176, with keys like 12A and 3B providing loose harmonic threads.
The energy leans low (0.65) for a grounded feel, with mids (0.24) and highs (0.10) used for dynamic spikes, creating a rollercoaster of intensity. The mixing is inventive, using loops and effects to bridge disparate sounds. For the diggers, this tracklist is a feast. After an unknown opener, Nick Monaco’s ‘Freak Flag’ sets a quirky, housey tone.
Marc Houle’s ‘Undercover’ injects minimal techno precision, while Feri’s ‘Midnight Secrets’ offers a deeper, melodic interlude. The peak comes with the relentless drive of Underground System’s ‘Bella Ciao’ remixes and the classic piano-house euphoria of Afro Medusa’s ‘Pasilda.’ The journey builds through these left-field moments and ends on a beautifully sentimental note with The Postal Service’s ‘Natural Anthem,’ a closing track that feels both nostalgic and perfectly out of place.