Acclaimed French DJ and producer Joachim Pastor, revered for charting his own course, presents his new album, PHANTOMGRID. Spanning 10 tracks, the project unfolds as a both sonic and visual journey, exploring themes of memory, reality and perception, fusing experimental electronic sounds with melodic and drum-and-bass elements and setting the stage for Pastor’s next chapter as an artist.
At its core, PHANTOMGRID questions the world as an unseen grid – an underlying framework humanity can only partially grasp. With the album, Joachim Pastor took a solitary, instinct-driven approach, composing much of the music mentally before bringing it to life in the studio. Inspired by his research into the Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe (CTMU), the album explores the tension between feeling, knowledge, and the unseen. This research evolved into a study of contrasts – organic versus machine, intuition versus precision, human versus technology – with AI used as a deliberate tool to enhance the product while preserving the music’s raw emotional core.
“I’ve never quite fit within their underground scene, nor the commercial wave of melodic techno that has defined the past decade,” says Joachim Pastor. “Throughout my career, and with PHANTOMGRID specifically, I’ve carved out a distinctive body of work as response to my commitment to stripping music back to its core.”
PHANTOMGRID delivers an atmospheric and cinematic listening experience, featuring tracks like ‘Synthetic Recall’, which marks the closure of the cycle of reflection, before going into the album’s closing track ‘Walk With Me’, hinting at the continuation of Joachim’s story. The lead single ‘Happy Now?’ showcases a warmer, more introspective side of Pastor, highlighting the emotional depth at the heart of his artistry and sharing the artistic vision of 88Birds aka Diana Miro – the sole voice Joachim chose to preserve in its most natural form.
The album’s visual identity, from each single to the final artwork, came together using Pastor’s custom-built Stable Diffusion server. After years of experimenting with AI-generated visuals, he developed a personalized library and interface to suit his creative vision. Each image reflects the album’s internal logic, created with the same mindset of pushing technological boundaries while remaining emotionally grounded. His brand-new live show has evolved in parallel, with Pastor designing custom MIDI controllers and dedicated Ableton plugins to expand his performance capabilities.
Pastor says, “The setup is more hands-on and expressive, functioning like an instrument rather than a traditional computer rig. Though technically demanding, it enables a deeper, more immediate connection between the music and the audience.”
The album will be paired with a documentary offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Pastor’s creative process.
Tracklist:
PHANTOMGRID
TAKE AWAY THE PAIN
FIELD OF SNAKES
CARRY ON
Happy Now?
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM
NUMBNESS I CANNOT BEAR
SEEKING SOUL
SYNTHETIC RECALL
WALK WITH ME
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Joachim Pastor - PHANTOMGRID[/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]PHANTOMGRID is a cinematic and meticulously crafted album that pushes the boundaries of modern electronic music while maintaining an intimate, emotional core. Below is a track-by-track breakdown exploring the technical arrangements, production techniques, and sonic design choices that make this work stand out. 1. TAKE AWAY THE PAIN, The album opens with a brooding soundscape layered with evolving synth pads and subtle percussive textures. Pastor employs sidechained ambient elements to create a pulsing undercurrent, while the low-end design is warm yet restrained. The track’s arrangement gradually introduces filtered arpeggiators, building tension without relying on heavy drums, a signature of his cinematic approach. 2. FIELD OF SNAKES This track demonstrates intricate sound design, using granular processing on metallic hits and reverberated plucks to reflect its serpentine theme. The stereo field is exceptionally wide, with automated panning giving the impression of movement and unpredictability. Percussion is sparse but impactful, emphasizing dynamic range over density. 3. CARRY ON, A brighter and more melodic track, “Carry On” uses layered synth leads and carefully modulated pads to create emotional resonance. Subtle transient shaping on the kicks and snares ensures clarity, while the vocal fragments are processed with formant shifting and delay feedback to blend into the instrumental texture. This track reflects Pastor’s precision in balancing electronic and organic elements. 4. Happy Now? The lead single is both technically minimal and emotionally rich. Pastor keeps the production clean, allowing Diana Miro’s voice to take center stage. The vocal recording is preserved with minimal post-processing, supported by soft reverb and light compression. The instrumentation features low-intensity rhythmic elements and evolving keys, demonstrating a “less is more” philosophy that highlights the introspective theme. 5. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, This track explores rhythmic complexity, using syncopated drum programming and multi-layered percussive loops. Sidechain compression between the bass and kick creates a strong groove, while parallel processing on the synth layers gives depth without muddying the mix. The middle section includes glitch-style effects, likely achieved with real-time buffer manipulation or Max for Live tools. 6. NUMBNESS I CANNOT BEAR, An emotionally heavy piece, this track leans on low-frequency drones and subtle orchestral samples processed through convolution reverb. Dynamic swells and filter automation create a feeling of gradual suffocation, aligning with the title. The use of distortion on the sub-bass is controlled and intentional, adding tension without overwhelming the listener. 7. SEEKING SOUL, Built around a hypnotic rhythmic motif, the production here favors evolving textures and mid-range harmonics. Layered delays and carefully controlled reverb tails give the track a floating, ethereal quality. The arrangement feels like a journey, with effective use of automation to keep the listener engaged across its length. 8. SYNTHETIC RECALL, As the penultimate track, “Synthetic Recall” serves as the reflective closure of the album’s narrative arc. Technically, it showcases expert sequencing, with arpeggiators and pads that interlock harmonically. The mix is spacious, with high-frequency elements gently rolling off to create a soft, cinematic fade. The transition into the final track is seamless, demonstrating careful mastering decisions. 9. WALK WITH ME, The album concludes on a contemplative note. The production is stripped back, with a soft piano layer and minimal percussion. Ambient field recordings, likely recorded and processed in Pastor’s custom sound design setup, add an intimate human touch. The track’s mastering leaves generous headroom, allowing the final fade to feel natural and immersive. PHANTOMGRID is a masterclass in balancing emotional intent with cutting-edge production. From his use of custom MIDI controllers and Ableton plugins to the integration of AI-generated visuals, Pastor’s work is as much a technical achievement as it is a heartfelt narrative. The album’s sound design and mixing reflect years of refinement, delivering an immersive listening experience that rewards both casual enjoyment and analytical study. #PureGold Love IT[/content]
[item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item][item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item]
[item value="10"] Melody [/item]
[item value="10"] Synths [/item]
[item value="10"]Breakdown[/item]
[item value="10"]Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item]
[item value="10"]Intensity, Drive and Energy[/item]
[item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item]
[item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item]
[item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Radio Friendly[/item]
[item value="10"]Vocals & lyrics[/item]
[item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item]
[item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item]
[/review]
About Joachim Pastor
A pillar of the French melodic techno scene, Joachim Pastor first emerged as part of the Hungry Music collective alongside NTO and Worakls. Viewing music as timeless and drawing inspiration from artists like Daft Punk, Sonata Arctica, and Jean-Michel Jarre, he developed a fascination for sound textures and the endless possibilities offered by machines. He explores them, shapes them, and deconstructs them.
Over time, Joachim has become a renowned electronic music producer, known for a distinctive artistic signature: classical, orchestral, and cinematic in his harmonic structures, yet sharp and direct in his melodies. A true perfectionist with a keen eye for detail, he crafts his sound through recognizable arpeggios and cultivates a unique style : hypnotic, elegant, and tinged with nostalgia.
In 2020, he signed with electronic music powerhouse Armada Music and released his debut album Greater Message, a project blending pop influences with prominent vocal features.
The following year, Joachim dropped a series of singles and remixes (notably Season, produced by NTO and French79, and reimagined by Joachim along with Joris Delacroix, Romain Garcia, and Stereoclip). That same year, he also composed the original soundtrack for the documentary The Final Season, chronicling the final racing season of world rally champion Sébastien Ogier. Titled The Winning Line, the score captures the emotional whirlwind of an athlete’s ultimate quest ; filled with suspense, doubt, triumph, and fulfillment.
In 2023, Joachim Pastor released Adrenogate, a four-track EP made for festivals. It reveals a darker, more intense side of the artist, a deliberate contrast to the nostalgic and emotive identity he is known for. He followed it up with Blank Page, an intimate track exploring memory and its degeneration.
Today, Joachim opens a bold new chapter: one that delves into the duality between man and machine, challenging the very foundations of existence. With an insatiable mind and an almost obsessive discipline, the artist embarks on a digital journey ; experimenting with artificial intelligence not only to understand and push its limits, but to merge with it completely. A conscious artistic exploration where technology doesn't replace emotion, but elevates it.
He unveils Phantomgrid in early 2025, followed by Take Away the Pain and Field of Snakes, which hint at a more ambitious project: a new album set to be released at the end of the year.
Today, Joachim Pastor's music reaches over one million monthly listeners on streaming platforms, and his live shows take him across the globe, including Dour, Tomorrowland, Paleo, Solidays, Delta Festival, and more.
About Armada Music
Armada Music is the biggest independent dance music label in the world. Founded by Armin van Buuren, Maykel Piron (CEO) and David Lewis, the label manages an ever-growing catalog of over 50,000 tracks built up across twenty-plus years of specialized dance music exploitation.
Representing artists such as Armin van Buuren, ARTY, D.O.D, Eelke Kleijn, Jan Blomqvist, Joris Voorn, KI/KI, Lilly Palmer, Loud Luxury, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, THEMBA and Yulia Niko, Armada Music amasses more than one billion streams per month, airplay on leading radio outlets such as BBC Radio 1 and Sirius XM, and top positions in the world’s most notable charts. Significant label milestones include Armin van Buuren's Grammy nomination for 'This Is What It Feels Like' and two tracks surpassing one billion streams on Spotify: Loud Luxury and Brando’s ‘Body’ and Lost Frequencies’ ‘Are You With Me’.
Across offices in Amsterdam (HQ), New York, London and Laren (NL), Armada Music offers a global appeal to its growing roster. The label has its own club, radio studio and multiple production studios, and hosts various live formats. Producer platform Armada University, which offers educational products and opportunities, shows the label’s sustained effort to nurture the next wave of talent.
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