With Jean-Paul Bondy being better known as Volum and as one-half of angry robots Volsoc his name may not spark much interest in the down tempo scene, but with his first solo album, Bondy may just change that. "The Path of Most Resistors", as the name itself pretty much implies, isn't short on the bleeps, clicks, squeaks and synthetic melodies Bondy's built his reputation on, but it's his darker, perhaps more introspective moments here that caught my ears.

1. Something Is Not Right (feat. Blood Of Abraham)
2. Cold Reformer (feat. Carl A. Finlow)
3. Xeno Persuasion
4. Dry Humper (computer vocal by Justin Maxwell)
5. Prompted Some Observers
6. Monochrome (feat. Rochelle Vincente)
7. Delia*s Temptation
8. L.A. Is Burning
9. Origami Mommy
10. Bit By Bit/Ear Worms (feat. Alissa Keuker)

The first time Jean-Paul touches on something more human is the second track, "Cold Reformer" featuring the voice of UK electro legend Carl Finlow. If you grew up with 80s wave, or followed developments in the splinter of post-Industrial styles that eventually led to synthpop, you'll hear some familiar sounds and vocal melodies here. This track shows a clear influence from the writing style of Depeche Mode, but then if you're an electro artist, that influence is pretty much a requirement.

After a few more tracks of electro beats, Jean-Paul collaborates with Product.01's sweet female unit, Rochelle Vincente on "Monochrome". Her melancholy tones are paired up with slow beats and spatial synth atmospheres and I can't keep my mind from reminiscing about the similarly great work produced by Tipper. In many ways you could also compare it to Andrea Parker, musically and vocally. It's just as invitingly aloof, but Rochelle's singing style here is more romantically pained than Ms. Parker's.

A blissfully mellow instrumental cut called "Delia*s Temptation" follows and keeps the romantic futurist vibe going strong. "L.A. Is Burning" comes afterward and damn! In my opinion, the entire electro scene should take a similar, perfectly repetitive, precisely orchestrated, and deeply rhythmic path. It's dark without being overbearing or affected, and as a nod to one electro's creator influences, contains a snippet of dialog from Bladerunner. How can you say no to Bladerunner? "Origami Mommy" keeps the same style going and takes it deeper with a thick bed of bassy percussion and a layer of cut-up, militaristic rap.

"Bit By Bit/Ear Worms" is an epic 12-minute composition featuring the voice of Alissa Keuker, with production assistance from John Tejada, Bass Kittens, David Deande, and Key Knofe that is just an amazing experience up until the "Ear Worms" segment when the heavy 4/4 bass kicks step in. Not that it goes all bad at this point though...it's nice electro house.

Hopefully Mr. Bondy takes the path of least resistors and continues to explore his more humanly melodic side, because when it's slow and moving, this album is an incredible slice of down tempo futurism that shouldn't be missed.

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