Bulgaria’s prolific Ivan Shopov is known under a plethora of aliases, and here he presents his second album under his dubstep/brain dance music guise: BALKANSKY. Currently appearing every weekend in Europe, this is his manifesto for Mind, Body, Soul and Spirit. With guest appearances from Scorn, Enduser, Loop Stepwalker, and a remix of a Badun original, Balkansky offers a journey of epic proportions through the realm of the slowed down beat. Intelligent synth work meets a sense of melody and structure from the unique perspective of a Bulgarian more interested in nature and moutains than dancefloor domination – yet he dominates, handily.

The album is a full spectrum of the Balkansky sound – from the gentle opening of his remix of Badun’s EF10 to the punishing floor shaking of Mraked, the album also features guitar instrumentation (Rock the Block), and centers around the vocal title track – a shapeshifting affair, into and out of electromechanical angles with a effortless evenness. The album closes with the appearance of Ohm Resistance stalwart Enduser, a jump off leaving every listener wanting more and wondering where the advanced musical craftsmanship of Ivan Shopov will take them on the next listen.