Mike D 5D's 'Thank You' Blends Glitchy Beats With Post-Beastie Energy
Mike D 5D's debut solo album 'Thank You' mixes glitchy beats and raw vocals, offering inventive post-Beastie fun with occasional misfires.
Former Beastie Boy Michael Diamond, now recording as Mike D 5D, releases his debut solo album "Thank You" on Friday. It marks the first new music from the Beastie Boys' camp since the 2012 death of Adam "MCA" Yauch.
The album finds Diamond exploring fresh sonic territory, often with stuttering drum and bass breaks and heavily processed vocals. Opening tracks like "Switch Up" and "What We Got" sound pushed through an overdrive pedal, yet the high-energy approach works. He's joined by his sons Skyler and Davis Diamond, along with Eddie Ruscha, Will Graefe, and Milo Ruscha.
Not every experiment lands. "Secrets Pt. II" repeats the line "I got secrets" many times without revealing any, leaving the track feeling repetitive. "Crypto" aims to critique greed but lurches melodically, ending in a fuzzy, frantic declaration about people talking in your ear.
Still, much of the album is messy, noisy fun. Standout "I Don't Care" slows the pace, with Diamond weighing responsibility and emotional payoff: "We all have a role / I didn't see mine." The track benefits from Mini Korg synth work by Hubert Blanc-Fracard, formerly of French duo Cassius.
While a few low points exist, "Thank You" is refreshingly inventive. Diamond avoids easy recreations of Beastie Boys flavor, instead pushing toward something new. That commitment to exploration earns respect.
Rating: Three out of five stars. On repeat: "I Don't Care" Skip it: "Crypto" For fans of: A distressed "Paul's Boutique"