If you've been searching for a distinct blend of lo-fi and slowcore to start your year, Chicago-based Indent has already provided us with just that.
A canon event is the small step beyond a bare-bones production, built from simple and purposeful instrumentation that focuses on individual sounds that highlight each other. Nothing drowns anything out; everything is in its place.
The EP starts with the title track "canon event," which tumbles in with a math-inspired hook that builds into layers of guitar and a simple synth lead. Layers of gritty vocals top it all off, painting the energy for the EP in a pensive and melancholy light.
"change 4 u" comes next, putting an emphasis on the lo-fi aspects of the project. The vocals stand out on this track, remaining raw and layered, but there is an slight undertone of an R&B influence in the melody and the harmonies. Though that inspiration could be easily missed, it adds an element of fullness to the EP that draws Indent apart from the crowd.
The following tracks are "scary storm outside" and "belong." Both stand alone, but serve a similar purpose in the middle of the project. They start with long, accumulating introductions that introduce faraway-sounding vocals about halfway through. The songs expertly contrast the forward elements of the tracks that come before and after.
Though each track serves a purpose, the standout track on the project is undoubtedly "the opposite of complete." It winds up with the kind of recognizable hook that could easily be sampled in cloud rap or in other slowcore projects. As a whole, the production is smooth and prominent, with melodic vocals, memorable lyrics, and a unique distortion that peeks it head into the middle of the song.
"r u still here? (demo)" featuring Jordan Schudie is a soft close, highlighting the raw energy of the entire project and closing everything off with the stripped-down layers and harmonies that listeners have come to recognize over the five previous songs.
With tiny hints of artists from entirely different worlds, a canon event is an accumulation of energies that fit together unexpectedly. Highly recommended for fans of Eden's vertigo, skean's HIDING, or even the layered fantasy of a Pinback guitar hook, Indent has something for everybody. They are sure to draw in a new crowd with this EP, so make sure to jump onto the bandwagon while it's still early.
Connect with Indent: Instagram|Bandcamp
