In a landscape often crowded by predictable structures, NTHNL arrives with an album that feels less like a simple collection of songs and more like a living, breathing ecosystem. What Kind of World Is This? is an exercise in contrast, having the organic breath of wind instruments in the focus against a backdrop of electronic textures. The journey begins with an expansive synth solo, blended with nature sounds that place the listener somewhere in the wild. It isn’t long before NTHNL’s signature wind instruments emerge, setting the tone for the rest of this work.
Rather than leaning on traditional pop hooks the songwriting here prioritizes improvisation and atmosphere. It’s a healing soundscape, but one with a sharp edge where playful drum machines and beats that range from subtle ticks to fully danceable rhythms mixed with thick synth-bass parts. The first part of the album has that downtempo aesthetic: For fans of old-school psychedelic trance imagine those classic albums and their closing tracks where the BPM drops, and the artist explores a different artistic angle.
Reflecting the state of the world we live in, the album isn’t all sunshine and meditation though. There are moments where NTHNL utilizes unorthodox structures and claustrophobic synth layers to create a feeling of descending into the abyss. However, just as the walls feel like they’re closing in, the same synth themes evolve into more danceable movements, providing a beautiful sense of contrast.
The second half of the record shifts gears toward the dancefloor. A clear highlight for us, Converting the Infidels, features middle eastern melodic themes with warm saturation and a psychedelic tones. Breaking the instrumental flow, Nakama teams up with NTHNL for the album’s only vocal track injecting cool rap verses which add that urban grit.
An album that works just as well for a focused deep-listen as it does for a late-night groove.
Follow NTHNL
Instagram
This review was made possible by SubmitHub
Secret Eclectic 