A new µ-ziq album is always a treat. Mike Paradinas has a knack for crafting intricate little electronic melodies that worm their way inside your head and don't come out for days. This time around, the solid-state commercial friendliness of Lunatic Harness has been fleshed out; "Scaling", for instance, is almost orchestral, while the amusingly titled "Hwicci Song" (presumably named for its persistent turntable scratching) pairs its jaunty beat with a pompously martial rhythm, creating a march for the next millennium. Prior µ-ziq works have also rivalled the Aphex Twin for their air of subtle, lurking menace, and Royal Astronomy is no slouch on that score. "Slice" combines a classically-styled melody with hints of sonic decay, adding brief, echoing stabs of minor-key uncertainty to the mix. More overt mood-manipulation can be found on the creepily dischordant "Mentim" and the soundtrack-worthy "Gruber's Mandolin". Those seeking stripped-down dancefloor action will gravitate to "The Motorbike Track" or the heart-rupturing, minimalist workout of "Burst Your Arm", while "The Fear" (which isn't frightening) should silence anyone wishing Paradinas would get himself a vocalist. One thing Royal Astronomy doesn't do is make many stylistic advances beyond Lunatic Harness; concepts are expanded and refined, but in many ways we're listening to Lunatic Harness V. 1.5. It's bigger and better, but the envelope isn't pushed so much as gently prodded. Still, when the music is this good, surely we can wait until next year for the big advancements.