IMPULSE NINE RETURNS AFTER 20 YEARS WITH ‘NOTHING IS EASY’
It’s been 20 years since Impulse Nine last released music, and Nothing Is Easy is the result of finally answering a promise made long ago. Not just to make something, but to make a real album. Not a handful of half-finished demos, but a complete, fully realized body of work. Because eventually, you run out of “somedays,” and some people aren’t around forever to hear what you meant to say.
But this isn’t just a sad record. It’s more complicated than that. There’s grief, sure—but also joy, persistence, and the strange humor that creeps in even during life’s darkest moments. You still brush your teeth the night after visiting the hospital. The jokes still land. The music, like life, holds contradictions.
Nothing Is Easy captures all of that. It’s honest, raw, deeply human, and well worth the two-decade wait. Let’s dig in:
“I’m Sorry About Your Everything” opens the album in a deeply somber place. Impulse Nine eases into the track with a beautifully detailed array of piano licks—subtle at first, but warm and refined, wrapping the listener in a soft melancholy. What makes the song even more heart-wrenching is the fact that it was the last piece of music Impulse Nine’s father ever heard. That emotional weight lingers in every note, making the song feel both devastating and quietly beautiful. The strings, though understated at first, absolutely shine. They don’t just fill space—they ache. Layered carefully beneath the piano, they swell with purpose, rising and falling like deep breaths through grief. They add a cinematic elegance that pushes the track beyond post-rock and into something that feels truly personal and transcendent. Sonically, the track blends the expansive textures of Explosions in the Sky with subtle country twang, building into massive, emotionally charged crescendos. While it begins in a place of sadness, the song grows—evolving into something far more dynamic. What starts as sorrow ends in catharsis, closing on a high note that feels earned, not forced.
“A Wake” takes a left turn from the somber tone of the opener, diving headfirst into a freer, more exploratory sound while still holding tight to its rock foundation. The guitars remain front and center, but this time they’re joined by rhythmic piano and driving drums that create a loose, almost improvisational feel. There are still no lyrics—and we don’t need them. The instruments are doing all the talking, and they’ve got plenty to say. The track pulses with jam-band energy, especially when it breaks into a bright, expansive chorus that brings to mind The String Cheese Incident. It’s got that wide-open, anything-can-happen vibe—like it could stretch on for ten minutes and no one would complain. There’s a sense of momentum throughout, a feeling that the band is chasing something just out of reach, and we’re lucky enough to follow them along for the ride. What really shines here is Impulse Nine’s willingness to play, explore, and push boundaries. “A Wake” is equal parts structure and spontaneity, and it proves they’re not afraid to blur genre lines or let the music breathe. It’s bold, it’s fun, and it’s a clear standout in the album’s journey.
“Heavy Metal Mama,” the third track on the album, is an absolute ripper. Just when you think you’ve got Impulse Nine figured out, they flip the script and launch into something wildly unexpected. The song kicks off with thunderous, stadium-sized drums and a face-melting riff that could make Metallica nod in approval. It’s loud, it’s fast, and it’s unapologetically in-your-face. But beneath all the heaviness, there’s still that unmistakable jam-band spirit. Maybe it’s the absence of lyrics, or maybe it’s the way the track feels like a spontaneous explosion of musical energy, as if the band just strapped in and let it rip. It’s structured chaos, and it works incredibly well. “Heavy Metal Mama” is proof that Impulse Nine can shred just as hard as they can reflect. It’s a full-throttle blast of adrenaline that’ll get your heart racing and maybe even your mosh on. Strap in.
“Fireflies” opens with the tranquil sounds of nature—crickets chirping in the night, setting the scene like you’ve just stepped into a quiet summer evening. A warm, comforting acoustic guitar slowly weaves its way in, blanketing the track in sonic beauty. Then comes the majestic piano and soft, steady drums—each element building gently, like embers glowing under a starlit sky. This is a campfire song if there ever was one—serene, nostalgic, and just a little bit magical. Impulse Nine leans hard into the country twang here, bringing it back with more presence than ever before. But just as that twang settles in, a soaring guitar solo glides off into the night, giving the track a sense of movement and emotion that feels both spontaneous and intentional. “Fireflies” is an incredibly relaxing listen—equal parts tender and transportive. It belongs on every summer playlist, right next to your fondest memories and quietest nights.
“All Nighter,” the fifth track on Nothing Is Easy, carries a slow-burning, mischievous energy that feels like the calm before a storm. It’s sly and simmering—like something’s about to take off but keeps holding back just enough to keep you guessing. Then suddenly, the drums kick in like a motorcycle revving to life, jolting the track into motion. But just as quickly as the energy arrives, it fades back into the laid-back groove it started with, almost like it’s teasing you. After a few minutes of lulling you into that hypnotic sway, the momentum creeps back in, this time with a knowing grin. The track dances on the line between moody restraint and playful uplift—a sonic push and pull that somehow makes perfect sense. It’s the kind of song that feels right for a solo night drive, windows down, nowhere in particular to be, but vibing all the same.
“Heat” cranks the energy way up, reintroducing those stadium-sized drums and ripping guitar riffs with a vengeance. This track doesn’t just arrive—it dominates. It's loud, aggressive, and built to melt faces. Thrashers? They’re gonna eat this one up without a second thought. The drumming is a real standout here—huge, relentless, and full of jaw-dropping fills that feel less like transitions and more like rhythmic explosions. It’s a full-on masterclass behind the kit, with arrangements that demand both technical skill and raw power. By the halfway mark, everything locks in—drums, guitar, bass—colliding in perfect sync for a moment of pure, unfiltered sonic chaos. It’s heavy, it’s tight, and it’s very dope. This is Impulse Nine at full throttle, and we’re here for it.
“It Might Be Fine (But I Just Don’t Know),” the penultimate track on Nothing Is Easy, delivers a beautifully well-rounded rock sound that’s both tight and emotionally textured. The bass and drums drive the momentum from the start, laying down a rich, rhythmic foundation, while soft, expressive guitar notes dance delicately above. As the track builds, the instrumentation opens up—every element stepping forward without overpowering the others. It’s a true ensemble moment where each player flexes their skill without ego. The chorus is especially infectious, bursting with energy and melody. It’s so catchy, you can’t help but wonder how incredible it would sound with lyrics layered in. And just when you think you’ve heard it all, the piano slips in—sparingly, but perfectly placed—adding another layer of depth and reminding us how versatile and musically thoughtful Impulse Nine really is. This one’s a sleeper hit, no doubt.
“Shadow Over Johnny Ringo’s Grave” closes out Nothing Is Easy with all the Wild West flair you could possibly imagine. We’re talking cinematic horns, dusty guitar licks, maracas shaking like a standoff is about to break out—it’s a full-blown desert showdown in sonic form. And yes, it rules. For those not in the know, Johnny Ringo was a notorious outlaw from the Wild West, and if he were alive today, this would 100% be his theme song. The track has a gritty rock undercurrent, but it’s laced with that Ennio Morricone-meets-modern-alt-rock energy. Think Muse’s “Knights of Cydonia” with a touch more tumbleweed and tequila. It’s a bold, badass finale that perfectly caps off a diverse and wildly creative album. If you weren’t sold on Impulse Nine before, this track should do the trick.
Nothing Is Easy is anything but predictable—and that’s what makes it such a captivating ride. Across eight tracks, Impulse Nine weaves through somber piano ballads, thunderous rock anthems, jam-band spontaneity, and Wild West soundscapes without ever losing their voice. It’s a record that thrives on contrast, blending precision with raw emotion, and structure with freedom.
By the time “Shadow Over Johnny Ringo’s Grave” fades into the sunset, it’s clear that Impulse Nine isn’t just making songs—they’re crafting an experience. Genre lines get blurred, expectations get subverted, and somehow it all just works. If this is what they can do on Nothing Is Easy, we can’t wait to hear what comes next.