Mikkel Rev - Journey Beyond [A Strangely Isolated Place]

[HTY]

I don't know about album of the year, but Journey Beyond is one of the best underground tracks produced this year.

I haven't seen a mention of Desolate Plains yet, which I think is the second best track. Very Mikkel Rev type track, and the last 3/4 minutes are what I am here for

Desolate plains

 

[Sean Cong]

One of my top albums of the year. I will rank it better than Enigma State's, and near Solarstone's.

However my favorite track is not the title track. I like the 2-min "Expanse" best.
The chord progression touches me, and the lead synth draws me outside the real world, and I especially love the "3-note in a row" way of writing melodies.
This track also gives a break in the continuous version.

I also enjoy the title track as well, so retro and dynamic.

I don't know much about ambient. When I listened to the continuous mix, I found it quite surprising that you can just layer one track on another and crossfade it when mixing ambient tracks, regardless of what key it is in.
This is good, but the downside is that the 8th track "Transmit" is never dominant in the mix. I literally had zero impression of this track after I finished the continuous mix for the first time.

Entire album: 8/10
The continuous mix: 7.5/10
Track "Expanse": 9/10
Track "Journey Beyond": 8.5/10

 

[Narel]

Finally got around to this. Really good album. Great sounds and production.

 

[Manofearth]

A Journey Beyond is a top top track. Excited to plug in to the rest of the album.

 

[Ocean Ye]

7.4/10 A- (One of my Top 5 Trance Albums released in 2025)
Not just "Journey Beyond" -- the whole album is wonderful. I think the main styles are probably Psybient and Trance. The pointillistic sound details and the fluid, immersive space it create are truly impressive.
My favorite track is "Evolution Blue."

Other favorite trance albums released in 2025:
1. irini - lost in dreams 8.0/10
2. Narel - Apricity 7.8/10
3. Super-Frog Saves Tokyo - Beams 7.5/10
4. Alvar - The Mist 7.3/10
5. Solarstone - Innermost 7.3/10