DOUBLE MUTE – Corporate Culture: CEO Edition

RELEASE YEAR: 2026
BAND URL: https://doublemute.bandcamp.com/album/corporate-culture-ceo-edition

This twisted and hugely enjoyable little gem came out roughly two months ago, so I shall keep it relatively short and concise here and merely sum up in a few sentences why it deserves your time and attention. First things first, the enigmatic entity Double Mute is never boring and about as unpredictable as an old man’s bowel movements, which is a splendid thing in that we essentially get a dense-sounding, infinitely layered, and highly challenging output that stimulates the mind while also stirring the senses.

Corporate Culture: CEO Edition actually comes across as harsher and more edgy than its predecessor, namely Corporate Culture_FINAL_v2, and at times it feels somewhat punishing and downright unpleasant, which is undoubtedly the intention. Taking their cues from avantgarde black metal, electronica, nu metal, classical, prog, hip hop, and arguably even (dark) movie soundtracks just to list a few, one could be forgiven for thinking that the album would hardly appear cohesive, but lo and behold, they have blended those different elements to great effect and created something that is gloriously experimental, oftentimes bludgeoning, always persuasive, and gelling quite organically. While it often comes across as dystopian, cold, and cynical somehow, it has its eerie moments too, a prime example being the opening track “Executive Elevator.” Then again, it is also cheeky and humorous on countless occasions. 

The eight-track offering can feel overwhelming at times, and there is an awful lot to absorb and digest here, not least in terms of the lyrics and song titles and how they work in tandem with the actual music, but I find that when I am in the right frame of mind it ticks pretty much every conceivable box. I think we can all agree that there is something special about those records that are akin to a gift that keeps on giving, which is exactly what this intense and fierce piece of work does. This US-based act is something completely different to anything else out there and a truly innovative force to be reckoned with, and this stellar LP is as good a place to start as any. There is absolutely no regard for conventions here, nor musical boundaries for that matter.