Nanaki – ‘Afterlight’ [Review]
In a world so dominated by and dependent upon the Internet, Afterlight‘s opening tune Antisocial Media is a uniquely intriguing musical statement. Its followers are no less effective: Vocal-free and well produced, each track manages to capture the thoughts, ideas and insights associated with its respective title while working as a downbeat but welcoming piece of music.
This is immersive music, not just some smoke-and-mirrors illusion of intellectualism. Sole remaining Nanaki member Mikie Daugherty knows exactly what he’s doing; there’s a marked air of determined direction present on this release, and not even the faintest hint of self-defeating doubt or uncertainty. Although each track has its merits, my personal highlights were the epic-length tunes Fuck Spotify and Saint Alessa, both of which brought to mind the work of Belgian instrumental acts such as Industroika. Unorthodox, experimental, and unselfconscious, Afterlight is evidently the work of a true artist.
Overall, listening to this EP is like trudging through a bleak, blizzard-smothered wilderness and finally being greeted by the distant lights of an almost-snowed-in tavern. You’re freezing half to death, but there’s warmth ahead. A worthy slice of shoegazing art-rock.
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