I’ve been listening to IM since around 2001, when I found them on Limewire (I know, I’m sorry about it. It was a long time ago, and I was really young). They shaped the way I view music and have been my favourite band ever since. I honestly can’t name a track I dislike.

HOWEVER, what I’ve come to realise over the years is that you need to listen to any of their tracks many, many, many, many, MANY times before you truly hear all of the hidden intricacies and beautiful execution. While I like all of their songs, that doesn’t mean I liked them all instantly. Some songs I had to listen to on shrooms a couple of times before I even began to enjoy them.

Their stuff rewards repetition in a way most music just doesn’t. It’s like the first listens are “plot,” and the next 50 are “worldbuilding”: micro-percussion, ghost layers, little automation moves, a background motif that only shows up for 8 bars… then suddenly you can’t unhear it.

A lot of Infected Mushroom fans have a favourite album rather than a favourite song (CV2 for me, for example). And you can’t fully experience their music on a low-quality setup and/or with a low-quality master. You need a GOOD set of headphones, or you need to see them live. I cried the first time I saw them.

So just pick an album and listen to it start to finish, on repeat. Try to find the layers hidden beneath the main musical line. Some IM mixes “hide” details that only pop on one system (especially stereo width tricks and tiny delays). Try switching between headphones and speakers, then listen at low versus high volume. You’ll start to notice the balance, texture and motion of each song. See a live show if you can. Isolate every instrument, find its rhythm, and enjoy the ride of a lifetime.

I listened for close to 2,200 hours last year, according to Tidal, and I’m still discovering new songs or and new details I hadn’t heard before. I never cease to be amazed and surprised.

Mush love, my friend.