Nhomme - 一 種 の 過 音

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 13 Feb 2023

Tracklist:

1. 一 種 の 過 音 i

2. 一 種 の 過 音 ii

3. 一 種 の 過 音 iii

I'm going to interspersing my ongoing look at the discography the makes up Zegema Beach Records with some of the label's more recent 2023 releases. I mean damn, there are enough of them to keep the series going for a good few years. This is a new-ish release, having come out last month. It's the latest EP to come from Japanese band Nhomme. Nhomme's music seems to encapsulate screamo, emoviolence, post-rock, math-rock and even djent. They were on a split with Asunojokei, as well as Pale and Tochu-Kaso in 2020, which is of note because I'm slowly trying to build up and complete my Asunojokei collection. This release has been made up of 146 tape copies, across three different variants as well as 5 special test dips. 

This promises to be really good, as every Japanese band I’ve ever heard is. EP opener ‘一 種 の 過 音 I’ is a math-rock fans dream, plain and simple. Deliciously melodic but with a bizarre yet really likeable jazz approach and amazing instrumental finesse. Its not until the two-minute mark that Nhomme introduces vocals and while they’re sparely used, their high-pitched screams are perfect amongst the music they nestle amongst.

‘一 種 の 過 音 ii’ takes the experimental nature of the opener and magnifies it, thanks to a longer running time. The production and general sound of the music on here is so alive and vibrant, without coming across as overproduced or condensed. Such musical freedom seems to be afforded to Japanese bands and Nhomme exhibits it so well here.

Their final song ‘一 種 の 過 音 iii’ features their now familiar morse code-like guitar playing, which on it’s own is strange yet works brilliantly when joined by the rest of Nhomme. It’s repetitive nature may drive some people mad but lovers of avant-garde, improvisational and expressive music will love it. More traditional screamo makes it onto the song’s latter half, which adds another layer to the recording. 

Nhomme are a total find! Utterly bewildering and jarring in places, yet also beautiful and cathartic in another. This is one of those EP’s that you’ll regret not owning. I myself am in a highly suggestible mood when it comes to ordering physical releases at the moment, so may well be shopping after this. Get it while you can!

You can stream and purchase the EP as a name-your-price download below:-

Nhomme - https://twitter.com/nhomme_band

Physical tapes can be purchased from Zegema Beach Records below (but be warned, they're running low):-

Zegema Beach Records - CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/nhomme

Zegema Beach Records - https://www.facebook.com/zegemabeachrecords

Tia Carrera - Visitors/Early Purple

Labels: Small Stone Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 22 Mar 2019

Tracklist:

1. Visitors

2. Early Purple

I'm nearing the end of a four day working week here and while that sounds good, in truth working one less day can be more draining. I'd normally head for something truly extreme at this point but breaking with tradition is a good thing. That's why Texan improv heavy rock/blues trio Tia Carrera were at the top of my list to write about this evening. They've recently released their latest EP, "Visitors/Early Purple", which features songs of the same names. It's been released on vinyl and also digitally via Small Stone Records, who have worked with the band previously. So, let's get going...

There aren’t many truly improvisational bands around nowadays, which is a real pity because some of the best shows I’ve been to have featured them. The instrumental skill and timing that their band members have is incredible. Tia Carrera is a band that live up to that statement and more. The trio’s groovy/bluesy sound is taken straight from the stoner/heavy rock sub-genres and it works perfectly. The bass, guitar and drums working together in harmony on Visitors. It’s a song that you’ll easily get lost in during it’s eighteen-plus minutes. 

Tia Carrera’s heavier/fuzzier side comes out during Early Purple, with its guitar tone that sounds even warmer than before. The live recording is great too as it shows off the trio’s true organic approach to playing and performing. I’m not sure how difficult it must be to recreate these same songs on a live stage given that they are improv (and therefore may not sound the same twice) but it would take some skill to do so. I can also imagine listening to this record on a fully analogue record player with tube amps and speakers, which would only improve the listening experience, which is already great. 

Stumbling across this has been a bit of a breath of fresh air. There’s no hint of “instrumental wankery” here at all and all Tia Carrera want to do is play music that’s enjoyable, intelligent and fun. That’s been well and truly achieved here. 

Stream and purchase "Visitors/Early Purple" on both formats below:-

Tia Carrera - https://www.facebook.com/tiacarreraofficial/

Small Stone Records - https://www.facebook.com/smallstonerecords/