released: may 2, 2025

genre: electronic

from: manchester, uk

label: supernature

a few thoughts: rainy miller, alongside the likes of space afrika, blackhaine and iceboy violet, has helped redefine the sound and energy coming from manchester and its surrounding areas. with eclectic electronic compositions that meander between light and emotive to abrasive and harsh, rainy miller’s new album joseph, what have you done? represents the struggles and pains of the working class in the north of the country, bringing rattling electronic compositions, spoken word pieces and melodic moments brought by angelic synth leads and vocals. “mud in my mouth (predetermined definitions)” kicks the album off with a hypnotic and arresting composition, with a claustrophobic, eerie verse about the suffocation of the human experiences from the oppressive system we live under. it’s such an emotive and staggering moment on the album, as rainy miller shouts “you were born to be a star, you were born to be nothing!” as a way to express his angst on the value of human life. “toddbrook dam, 2019.” has this acoustic, guitar-driven melody, as rainy miller’s vocals continue giving this painful, hopeless energy. the instrumental cacophony of “an obsidian lake spews out of me.” makes way for “vengeance.” featuring graham sayle has this infectious melody, with rumbling synths that build in energy, and come crashing down with heavy drumming throughout. the emotive electronic soundscapes of “marked, 2020.” are gorgeous, and the use of autotune is so good, as it conveys this broken, desperate energy. there’s so much beauty in this track, and one of the highlights of the album. the echoey and subdued “an angel! this way comes,” is stunning, while “the casts shadows, from afar (a6-pendleton).” has this immersive soundscape, with rainy miller’s spoken word piece is stunning – “we accumulate lives like cats in reverse” being an example of his poetic imagery on human fate and our overall experience. the electronic, drill-inspired groove of “please, don’t walk away too fast.” is another energetic and memorable moment. the dynamic drum and bass rhythms of “chrome, hallowed be.” are met with autotuned vocals and a metallic, abrasive energy within the beat that brings such a dynamic energy to it. “to grieve a man, is to grieve a man twice.” has this overwhelming, abrasive sonic composition that is just gut punching. the acoustic guitar melodies on “mary magdalene, as a home.” are incredible, with emotive vocals that are just stunning throughout. “the fable / the release” is another emotive, heartfelt melody with rainy miller’s poignant vocals adding to the emotive, expressive sonic meanderings. “joseph, what have you done?” featuring christ brian closes the album out with an angelic, atmospheric soundscape and a spoken-word piece speaking to a new potential future, while poetically reflecting on the state of being, bringing the protagonist joseph to the story once last time. joseph, what have you done? is a stunning body of work that highlights the musical and artistic talents of one of the most important artists from the north of the uk.

the album: