kenopsia

Sure, what this record does isn't anything entirely new, with other artists blending Hyperpop and Indie Rock with bits of Shoegaze to create a glitchy, fuzzy atmosphere that consumes you, but this record manages to pull it off surprisingly well, and I love albums that bring together so many genres with such vibrancy. The production is bright and crisp, highlighting every instrument with a perfect balance that can be challenging for albums attempting multiple styles. The Shoegaze elements complement rather than overwhelm, and the Hyperpop components create an existential feel that fuels the album effectively. I'm a sucker for this new wave of Indie music where artists experiment freely, leading to fascinating combinations others might not have considered. Despite initial skepticism about combining these genres, they blend to create an ethereal album that's pure ear candy. Quannnic seems influenced by Parannoul and Jane Remover, channeling their inspiration through Ableton to craft a unique sound. "Frailty" is characterized by its maximalism, electronic intricacy, and online aesthetic, yet Quannnic strips this down to its most alienated, introspective form, creating an atmosphere that laments rather than celebrates internet culture. Similar to James Blake's self-titled album but with more intense soundscapes, Quannnic interweaves electronics, antique VSTs, and 64kbps vocals to produce incredible highs in fleeting moments. This review mirrors my disbelief at how "Kenopsia" fills every frequency your ear can perceive. Counterintuitively, the distorted instruments and vocals sound like they've been exported at 40kbps, yet this unique, soothing, warm sound works perfectly. The album's shoegaze elements aren't solely reliant on low-bitrate distortion; sleepy vocals, deep drums, airy synths, and reverberated guitars create an indescribable vibe. The album cover encapsulates this atmosphere well, with "Stick" being a pinnacle example. Once, I got lost in a daydream listening to "Kenopsia" and regained consciousness in the middle of "Stick," unable to distinguish where the guitars ended and the vocals began. "Gesture Gesture Gesture" is an amazing closing track, with a finality I can't fully explain, though some say it lacks punch. This was my first shoegaze album, and despite listening to it so much that I temporarily got bored, returning to it always reminded me why I liked it so much. This cycle repeats endlessly; each time, I doubt "Kenopsia's" greatness, thinking I was biased due to my limited shoegaze exposure, but it continually blows me away again and again.

QUANNNIC - kenopsia

RATING - 8.6/10

FAVORITE TRACKS - nail, think with your lungs, life imitates life

GENRE - Alternative/Indie, Rock, Hyperpop, Glitch, Shoegaze