In the pixelated annals of gaming lore, few franchises claw at the heartstrings quite like Pokémon—those endless routes, badge hunts, and midnight raids that shaped a generation’s sense of adventure. Now, six years after his debut Poké & Chill slinked into the scene like a sneaky Jigglypuff lullaby, Sydney-based beat conjurer Mikel (the German-raised, England-born wizard behind the multi-million-stream juggernaut Zelda & Chill) returns with Poké & Chill 2. This 14-track sequel isn’t chasing shiny evolutions or Legendary hype; it’s a cozy Poké Ball toss into the tall grass of memory. Lo-fi hip-hop vines wrap around Game Boy chiptunes for 45 minutes of unhurried unwinding. Just pure chill.
Mikel’s formula remains a masterclass in restraint: MIDI keys patter like rain on a roof, basslines thump with the quiet determination of a level-grind, and subtle vinyl crackle nods to the analog ghosts of childhood handhelds. Opener “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” retools the franchise’s eternal earworm into a hazy dawn soundtrack. Warm synth swells and finger-snap percussion that feels like waking up in New Bark Town with a fresh Pokédex and zero regrets. From there, it romps through the soothing nostalgia of “Violet City” evoking misty gym battles with ethereal harp plucks over a bed of brushed drums. “Route 216” channels Diamond/Pearl’s snowy trails into a blissful jazz drift, complete with wordless vocal chants that could soundtrack a solo meditation hike through Eterna Forest. Elegant and relaxing.
Always one to combine music, art, and animation, Mikel pairs the album with a full 47 minute animation to add visuals to the soundtrack. Art comes full circle.
Check out the Poke & Chill animation by Mikel Here:
The real sorcery shines on the experimental creativity of some of the songs. Mikel flexes his digital imagination chops on tracks such as “Rustboro City”, “Lake Verity” and “Verdanturf Town.” Listeners have the power to just let go and let the artist take you on a journey of tranquility.
Production stays gloriously lo-fi. Mastered by Nicolas de Porcel (Milliondollarsnare) with nary a harsh edge. It’s the kind of record that demands noise-cancelling headphones and a dim-lit room, where the beats breathe like a Snorlax mid-snooze.
The closer, “Pallet Town” wraps it all in a frosty blanket of piano and ambient wind. The song develops and unfolds into a brand new world allowing your mind to explore and prepare to ease back into the real world.
Mikel isn’t gatekeeping the Poke gym; he’s handing out badges to anyone craving a break from the daily grind, blending millennial comfort food with subtle innovations that keep the training fresh. In a streaming sea of aggressive drops and AI-assisted bops, Poké & Chill 2 is your Totodile in a world of overleveled Tyranitars—small, scrappy, and utterly essential for leveling up your chill game.
