Album Review: Mike D, Thank You

At 60 years young, Beastie Boys legend Mike D has finally released his debut solo album. Equally remarkable is the fact that, since the untimely passing of Beastie Boys charter member Adam Yauch in 2012, this is the first new music released by either of the group’s remaining members.

Of of the most innovative and influential groups of the ’90s, the Beasties always sought to break new ground, and it’s an approach Mike D has maintained on Thank You. There are a couple of ventures into – wait for it – Aphex Twin-style rave-up territory on the duo of ‘Switch Up’ and ‘That’s Right’, with the rapper spitting verses over thrilling, breakneck beats.

There are a brace of dance bangers in ‘True Colours’ and ‘Crypto’, while the centrepiece of the album is the suite comprised of ‘Secrets Pt. 1’ and ‘Secrets Pt. 2’. The first section is a twisting electro number with blaring synths, while part two is more claustrophobic, with occasional 8-hit keyboard sounds.

Elsewhere, Mike D lowers the temperature with the moody ‘I Don’t Care’, which boasts some wonderfully melancholic guitar lines. Overall, a potent reminder of why the one-time Beastie Boy enjoys such exalted status.

8/10