At a time when even the humblest of indie rock projects are expected to offer compelling origin stories and annotated talking points, still-anonymous Korean artist Parannoul said of his new LP: . But what I always wanted. What we really know about Parannoul hasn’t changed much since 2021. to see the next part of the dream: They live in Seoul and are open to collaboration while keeping their privacy strictly protected, expressing what they really want out of their music in seemingly irreconcilable ways. In Parannoul’s closed world, hyperrealistic synth presets create the same eerie cacophony as the gurzy guitars of Dream’s pop. Emo shares a language with shoegaze. Bedroom pop alternates between her one on the laptop and the planetarium his laser on the soundtrack to his show. At any point on their phenomenal third album, after the magic Parannoul can be described as any, all, or none of these styles. It’s a seamless integration that provides a direct line to the author’s unique worldview without revealing anything else about itself.
Parannoul’s recent split LPs and singles suggested that the production might slowly recede from red, into softer, more shimmery tones. but none of them After magic. A more dramatic tonal shift than a guitar-based act reminds me of Oneohtrix Point Never. replica To the spotless supernatural R Plus SevenIt’s still ‘electronic music’, but instead of the specter of machines alerting us to technological entropy, Paranur’s ‘fake’ and ‘barren’ instruments associate the computer with creative possibilities. It is only from the memories of the past that a strange warmth is created.
The first sound heard in the opener “북극성 (Polaris)”. after the magic—Acoustic guitar, probably not one of the MIDI presets used. To see the next part of the dream. Over time, Parannoul fills the space with the most obvious substitute sounds. Clean cocktail piano rolls, slap bass, synthesized saxophones, and more are all purposefully used as prompts to remember an older, more harmless era of technology. But in its slippery reference point — early home-computing-era ambient music, shoegaze drum-n-bass software updates, and various phases of J-pop embracing cutting-edge electronics —after the magic Collapse the nostalgia wormhole, implying that one day 2023 will also be remembered as the good old days.
Parannoul haven’t completely ditched the oversaturated guitars that made their previous work sound like the M83 and Smashing Pumpkins, though. after the magic It’s the most vibrant way to remember the spirit of those projects. Paranuur’s belief that whether past misery is due to defense mechanisms or conscious stylistic choices, emotions worth experiencing must sound as overwhelming as they feel. remains without it. Magic is not commonplace, big Elemental Emotions – Falling in love before you’re 20, space travel literal, space travel figurative, resurrection every sunrise, endless possibilities on a summer night.Or as a closing rap-pop lullaby after the magic Suggestion, just watch the fireworks.