'd like to think label samplers are generally a good thing and a good idea. Their function (obviously) is not only to promote a specific label’s artists and more recent releases but to help provide identity. Usually within a year or more of a label’s conception, the owners must ask themselves whether or not it would make sense to invest in putting out a sampler. Ideally, it wouldn’t cost a whole lot to make one, as the music showcased would be recycled material lifted from current and upcoming releases on the label. However, if you’re really new and only have two or three releases under your belt, maybe your squad isn’t quite big enough to merit a sampler release just yet. After all, how can you accurately showcase your roster without a roster?

Apparently, Naples, Italy-based microsound/post-rock newcomers Mousike Lab are not from this school of thought, as their first compilation borrows artists and songs from Ninja Tune, Morr, Fat Cat, Ghostly International, Hefty, etc. The imprint in question has a whopping back catalog count of three records (not counting this one). The three artists responsible for these releases (Resina, Retina.IT and Frame), all contribute tracks. However, none of the many contributing guest artists supply an identity to the newly hatched Mousike Lab. They stick to their signature sounds without making much of a detour in order to be better suited for the label. This could be cited as a problem for several reasons, but we must first determine whether or not Condominium is actually a sampler. And well, it can surely be argued that it is not a sampler.

It works like a sampler in many respects, but quite simply, it lacks artists easily identifiable with the label. And track for track, it’s incredibly inconsistent. The Tarwater entry sounds like Tarwater; the Múm entry sounds like Múm. And how DJ Vadim, the designated sore thumb of the endeavor, found a place on Condominium’s tracklist is beyond me.

That’s not to say Condominium doesn’t provide a few solid tracks here and there. The excellent click-and-strum folktronica ballad “The Green Guitars” by Morr Music artist Populous stands just fine on its own, as does the ambient chamber pop of Velma’s “Satisfaction.” But even with a handful of winners, Condominium is a fairly poorly themed comp with no real intrinsic attachment to Mousike Lab or any label in particular.