I wanted to like this release – I really did. I like trip hop, post-rock, prog, ambient and all the other genres that this artist clearly likes – just not like this.
Unfortunately I think he’s over-reached and tried a few too many things. Nihilore‘s website proudly states ‘experimentation prevents stagnation’ and while normally I would fervently agree, I feel that after listening to this that he might benefit from reigning himself in somewhat. It seems a little hurried and unprepared – which is strange considering 3 tracks on the album feel like they will never end… and not in a good way.
In fact, the highlight of the album for me was ‘The Promised Place Beyond The Clouds’, a charming, almost quaint little interlude from the 40 minutes of droning flat beats that proceed it. And it’s only 3 min 30 seconds long – the second shortest track on the album.
There’s not a single thing I can put my finger on with this release either, is it the uber-cheesy, almost Beverly Hills Cop-esque 808 drum at the start of ‘The Road We Must Advance On’? Perhaps the insipid 80’s shampoo commercial synth sound that permeates ‘The Flower We Saw That Day’? Or is it the vocals, buried so deep on most tracks that even straining to hear them in headphones is a largely fruitless exercise? It’s all of this, and more.
The overall release seems a little hurried or rushed – almost like there was no final quality control… and then you see on his website that he’s a one man show that has 15 albums and 11 ep’s to his name. That kind of output has to result in some fat that can be cut from the corpse – and unfortunately for me most of this album is that fat. A lot of it feels like music recorded for the sake of it rather than with any particular direction or plan in mind and while that can be liberating for the performer it can make the output difficult for the listener.
I know some people will like this album. I’m sure if I was relaxing in a dimly lit nightclub, chatting to a mate over a scotch while this was playing softly in the background I’d have no problems with it. In fact – that’s what it is: largely inoffensive, and eminently forgettable. Cocktail beats meets trip hop.
Out now through Bandcamp.
Posted by Nick Dodds.
