Album Review: Kusanagi – Paramnesia (Ripcord Records)

Liverpool-based instrumental post/math rock band Kusanagi will release their brand-new album, ‘Paramnesia’, on May 30th via Ripcord Records.

It really does speak volumes about a band’s talent that something so complex and expansive can be so expressive. You’d think a personal touch, something the listener can connect to, would be lost under the weight of powerful and intricate instrumental detail, but not here. Not with a band like Kusanagi, who deliver (arguably) their finest work to date. Paramnesia is very special.

Take a deep breath. Sit back. Press play. Let the atmosphere, robust post melodies, riotous progressive rhythms, and clever twists on the post-rock formula invade the mind. It won’t take long to be captivated as Night Symmetry showcases a vibrant level of colourful noise. Where the length and breadth of Kusanagi’s emotional palette is on clear display. It’s incredible how they make familiar post elements sound so fresh.

It’s a start that shows off the experimental nature of Kusanagi and how labelling them is a fool’s game. However, it’s the following Polymorph that really stretches the imagination, keeping the tone in a relatively relaxed state, but putting emphasis on the complex guitar arrangements. It’s fascinating, but so is In Sleep We Heal and Equilibria, with the former’s melodies having a real poignancy about them. Whereas the latter creates a stunning soundscape that has a brilliant blend of urgent rhythms, pernicious blasts of rockier heaviness, and dramatic melody.

The more time spent in the company of Kusanagi, the more you’ll find yourself sinking into this album. Especially as each track is so extensive that summations aren’t that simple. There’s so much to take away from each track, but rest assured, the depth on show is unreal, and over multiple listens, more and more is unpacked. It’s how wandering beauties like Spacial Awareness can captivate so effectively. Although considering how dreamy the post sound is here, its attractive qualities can be easily understood.

Unsurprisingly, each track is an epic in its own way, but there may be nothing quite as epic as Luminosity. It’s a stunner and for nearly seven and a half minutes, Kusanagi push their experimental and progressive abilities to greater heights. The ending alone is unbelievable. Which would mean, in most circumstances, that what follows inevitably lacks by comparison, but not with the form this band is on. Physics of Colour is weird, but fun, with touches of funky groove, plenty of progressive grandeur, and theatrical post rockiness.

Finally, to cap off this album of the year contender, it’s Dream Projector and Kusanagi at their most haunting, powerful, and convincing. Kusanagi have experimented throughout the album and this finale is no different, showcasing deep drama, captivating mellow moments, and intense thicker touches, all without a single word sung or spoke. Instrumental post rock at its finest.

Kusanagi – Paramnesia Track Listing:

1. Night Symmetry
2. Polymorph
3. In Sleep We Heal
4. Equilibria
5. Spacial Awareness
6. Luminosity
7. Physics of Colour
8. Dream Projector

Links

LinkTree | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram