Peering through corroded nostalgia.
Most of us experience a sense of self-deprecation in our lives. As we grow older, we tend to lie down and reflect upon ourselves. The regrets that kept clinging in our minds, the anxiousness in our future, as well as having the feeling of loneliness and pettiness in ourselves as we kept looking at the sky that shines through our window and waiting for the next dream to seep into our minds.
Shoegaze South-Korean act Parannoul’s sophomore album pretty much fits in that description, to the point that the concept itself also blurs in with the musical aspects of the album. A lot of punchy drums that blast in rapid fashion, corroded shoegaze filters that rubs through the sedate vocals and distorted guitars, and bright synthesizers that contrast with the corroded filters, and samples from different movies and animes to emphasize the feel of childish albeit self-deprecating nostalgia.
A couple of problems however. I get the self-deprecating tones that crop up in the lyricism, but the writing itself is barebones and corny and it oddly ends in an uplifting note where there are no spots of the context of that hope. The vocalist’s timbre feels too monotone and at times forced when he tries to scream his lungs out. And the overall atmosphere with those corroded filters doesn’t work that much for me, it’s consistent but the only engaging parts of these long-winding tracks are the drum fills and the occasional bright melodic spots.
This album will click more to those who are fond of these walls of sounds and the nostalgic yet deprecating themes. While this album didn’t work for me, I appreciate Parannoul putting this one out and I hope he feels better now that there are people listening to his stuff.
Favorite Tracks: Analog Sentimentalism
Least Favorite Track: Age of Fluctuation