Ministry of Sound is back with yet another solid compilation. While some may cringe at the thought of yet another one, it has to be said that the Mashed series is probably the highlight release on what’s a very busy calendar for the label. A package of fusion that’s blended up almost faultlessly, Mashed 5 is a glimpse into that underground cred that Ministry still holds at times.

It’s actually surprisingly good. There’s far far less of those radio-friendly big tunes on repeat, and the mixing is of a much higher quality than you’re normal Ministry comps. It chucks in a few mini mixes (in the spirit of Annie Mac), which keep things not only fast and interesting but also more club friendly. Notably, the strongest point is the strength of the remixes on offer here. Overall, Mashed is far from a predictable Ministry comp that many of us might have grown out of, and that’s what makes it good as a major step away from the normal formula.

Formerly one half of Riot in Belgium, Beni spreads his touch all over disc one. He blazes through the start of his mix, cutting up Herbet, Tiga and Metronomy, while bleeding through My Love Sees You all in the first couple of minutes. Beni gladly showcases some of his own work, which includes his new track Maximus, which Sam Sparro lends his cords too. With the perfect mix up of some new with some old, he definitely gets that ‘mashed up’ feeling going.

Miami Horror takes over on the second disc. Another remix king, he creates his own web of mash, interweaving Yuksek, Little Boots, Phoenix and Bowie (as in David). He drops some standout mixes, from Fred Falke, Life Like, Treasure Fingers and Surkin, resulting in another electro-mash sensation. Its obvious the indie craze is far from over, with treats sure to please definitely enhancing the mash element, with La Roux, Friendly Fires and Lost Valentinos representing.

For those who enjoy the more accessible offerings from the Ministry stable, this may all be a little too foreign, however that’s far from a criticism. And for those who steer clear of their other more popular releases, Mashed 5 could prove a welcoming relief, and it’s a glimpse into the underground cred that the Ministry camp still has at times. Definitely better than any other mix comp going round at the moment, although it’s possibly still a little more fluffy than anything you should want to hear in a club, it’s a good dollop of electro with a mash up of indie, house and general off-beat craziness, everything and more that you would expect from a mash-up comp.