Nomad Disco’s new EP Insomnia builds upon the foundation of the band’s debut Pressure Island, revisiting “Flashbacks” with new lyrics alongside three entirely new tracks. The resulting four-song EP takes the project into more experimental territory, with “Letters to Death” serving as a particularly personal centerpiece, written from the perspective of a survivor confronting their own demons while ultimately finding a sense of hope.
The EP’s title track opens with moody resonance, casting a late-night spell with its nocturnal guitar twangs. “It’s all that we’ve had, it’s all that we’ve been,” a stirring lead presence unveils, bolstered by soaring guitar work and steady percussion; the expanse from initial post-punk murkiness to a more expansive rock sound is cohesively accomplished. The haunting delivery, emitting lines like “if I die tonight,” combines with dynamic shifts between rhythm-heavy and guitar-forward emphasis, reminding fondly of Suede’s darkest efforts. The guitar work past the 03:30 mark is especially stirring, as is the track’s music video, whose eerie depictions of being guided into the forest by an ominous figure match the production’s excellent soundscape.
Strong songwriting continues to shine across the EP’s other three tracks. The ensuing “Flashbacks” commences with a more twinkling guitar edge before venturing into the understated bass and guitar synergy, where laments that “I can’t seem to break the chain” meet with an ardent intensification of guitar-laden ardor and jumpy bass maneuvers. Next up, “Letters to Death” grips from the get-go, asking “have you seen the face of the Death himself?” as guitar tones alternate between twangier ascensions and morose murmurs; it plays as an affecting “mental health issues survivor’s note” in its thematic prowess. The responsive “on and on” refrain commands, in particular. EP finale “Succumb” is another gem, commencing with a rainy-day saxophone vibe and continuing that brass-forward interplay throughout, reminiscent of black midi in the art-rock unfolding. Insomnia is a dynamic, melodically affecting success of an EP from Nomad Disco.
Watch the music video for “Insomnia”:
And stream the EP in full:
