YOOMCIRCLE RELEASES ELECTRIFYING NEW FULL-LENGTH RECORD ‘NOMAD’
The expansion of technology over time has made way for some incredible music making. Yoomcircle contends not against, but rather, with peers within the DIY space by cultivating a unique soundscape for his ideas to live in. Solo projects have a heightened set of expectations; everyone assumes it’s easy to make a beat on Logic Pro and throw it up onto Distro Kid. However, true artistry is marked by a person’s commitment to their story, in whichever format it’s meant to exist in. Yoomcircle has innovated, tirelessly working on each note to demonstrate not only pro musicianship, but eloquent production skills. This is truly a solo project, with Yoomcirlce doing all the heavy-lifting himself. This triumphant effort is a bold, remarkable example of self-expression persevering, despite all odds. His record, ‘Nomad,’ showcases the vulnerability and perseverance needed to be a musician in the modern age. Most are not set out to reach superstardom, but rather, amass an honest following of people that resonate with their work. Yoomcircle has gone above and beyond to achieve this with ‘Nomad.’
From the very first introductory notes in “Shade Of The Dawn,” listeners can tell they’re in the midst of a brilliant record. A nice balance of indietroncia, this groovy intro to Yoomcircle provides necessary context. Some musicians are lyrics-first, but it seems Yoomcircle is music-first, or perhaps a tangential method is used instead. His whimsical production style gives room for natural storytelling; it appears that he sings with an accent that I can’t accurately pinpoint, but I hope he continues to do so. Removal of masks from the first few seconds of the record encourages listeners to get to know Yoomcircle for who he is. His mission statement, which appears to be a deep commitment to authenticity and performance, shines through with small nuances.
“Waterfalls” brings the energy up a notch. Though unique, Yoomcircle’s overall vibe circumvents anything too unconventional—it’s danceable, it’s fun. The record would do well on a lineup with Passion Pit, perhaps at a festival or as an opening act. This same catchy beat, ethereal vocal mix, and pure love for what one creates is what drove bands like Passion Pit to the top of their niche. It’s impossible to tell that this was a solo feat, in the kindest way possible. Record labels dish out millions of dollars to create mixes that are this robust, this clean. Yoomcircle’s capability to do this by himself is immeasurably impressive. It’s one thing to learn how a DAW works to produce your own music, but it’s another entirely to become an expert. The bridge in “Waterfalls” is otherworldly. AND it’s almost 5 minutes! I live and breathe for this kind of hidden gem.
This record is full of surprises, with “Nobody Knows” serving as the curve-ball of the LP. There are a number of fascinating techniques used in this song; if it were not released independently, it would not be surprising if “Nobody Knows” was slated as the lead single. It is still uniquely Yoomcircle branded, but, it’s the only song on the album that could be classified as “pop.” Of course, “pop” music is popular for a reason. Mastering the art of self-expression includes the ability to write what you feel, knowing others will feel it, too. “Nobody Knows” should be on the radio right now.
As a fan of interludes, I may be biased, but “No Coffee But Sun” is a simple, yet effective transition into the B-side half of the record. Also, that title is very clever.
“Thrils” is my favorite song on the album. This song is indicative of everything ‘Nomad’ does well. Its funky beat grooves without veering off into tired or cliche territories. Instead, it traverses into ethereal worlds that only exist in Yoomcircle’s mind, and we are all so lucky to be graced with the results of his hard work. “Thrills” belongs in nightclubs ASAP, but for now, it will exist in my productivity and workout playlists, getting me going before I have my first dose of caffeine. Borrowing from classic MJ techniques, “Thrills” revitalizes a jazzy essence that has been missing in indietronica and pop music for years. What’s the point of having all this music-making technology if we don’t have fun with it once in awhile?
The delivery of “Won’t Let You Down” is what sells it. Darker, demure (mindful, etc.), and complex, this song represents ‘Nomad’’s key word—INTERESTING. Many of these songs might not be your usual cup of tea, but “Won’t Let You Down” sounds like what the Beatles would be doing if Lennon (rip) had been given a few more years to work things out with the band. Sorry to George Harrison, who couldn’t have been more thrilled to sign those band divorce papers, but the Beatles would have explored many of these shoegaze-y electronica elements that Yoomcircle is pioneering. Even lyrically it’s Beatles-adjacent, but his delivery of each line is what really does it. It is so important to listen to an LP from front to back. There are so many things that could be, but shouldn’t be missed hidden within the B-side of any given record.
After happily dissociating a bit, our title track “Nomad” veers back into “Thrills” territory. Yoomcircle has a knack for funk; in another life, he was a Motown star. It would be fascinating to do a deep dive in his personal record collection. There’s a healthy mixture of the 1970s and 2010s that establishes a gorgeous blend, like when the colors of the sunset hit just right in a stunning gradient. Here, Yoomcircle offers some of his best vocal performances of the whole record. He is a keen vocalist, with tight harmonies lining each track. However, in this song, he showcases his prowess as a lead vocalist. Again, it’s making me curious about his roots. There is a lot of culture here, that would be fascinating to incorporate more in future releases. I am curious about who Yoomcircle is—whether he is a character, or appearing as his truest self. It appears that the latter is the most accurate description.
“How Did We Make It” has the most fascinating composition of the LP. The breaks are perfectly-timed, indicating Yoomcircle’s production skill. His ear for rhythm is truly incredible, and each of these songs will have you nodding your head back and forth. However, “How Did We Make It” is the most stellar exemplifier of his natural rhythm—likely paired with a trusty click track. Still, it is not only the ear for where each rhythm should go, but rather, understanding which drum parts would fit with every part of the mix. This bridge absolutely rules. A vocoder, synth layers, and the absence of an annoyingly loud hi-hat are a refreshing treat for all who are paying attention. Many record snobs suggest that an artist’s B-side is where all the treasures are, but sometimes, record snobs are right.
Once again, long songs rule the day…as they should. Closing in at 6 minutes and 2 seconds, “Holding On” is appropriately titled, since audiences hold on all the way through until the end. Good songs that run lengthier time spans leave audiences saying, “wait, that was 6-minutes? I could have sworn it was only 3!” “Holding On” is no exception to this rule; this groovy song tells an incredibly detailed story, not only with its well-written lyrics, but also with its colorful instrumental. The album artowrk got it so right, because this record sounds like those colors. There is some impressive guitar work about halfway through, indicating that Yoomcircle is not only a skilled composer and producer, but instrumentalist. That solo is killer, adding a clean-toned guitar over buzzy synth sounds to establish sweet contrast.
As things come to a close, “Floating” is another aptly-named track, as the mix sounds just like floating. Yoomcircle’s explorative nature shines bright in each track, even the slower-moving ones, which may be where some drop off, but that would be a regrettable decision. His choices in composition are a spectacle; the avoidance of playing it safe makes a 45-minute record worth listening to, in the midst of Tik Tok short-form content reigning supreme. It’s amazing that artists are becoming the mold, not just breaking it, by sticking to their creative convictions. As with the rest of the tracks, “Floating” offers expert musicianship and out-of-this-world production capabilities.
A soft conclusion rounds out the record perfectly well, with “I Will Go With You” serving as the perfect final track for a wonderful independent record. This final mark of triumphant artistry suggests that Yoomcircle has much more creative energy in him that he can’t wait to share with the world. Despite unseen circumstances, Yoomcircle has persevered to achieve a large goal, and he did so with grace. The lyrics of the song solidify this message; he aims to uplift his audience as much as possible, and these creative efforts are more than enough to accomplish this goal.
‘Nomad’ is a 5-star record, though we don’t grade based on a star scale. Plenty of songs hit my inbox daily, and most impress me with some elements, but few are as impactful as ‘Nomad.’ It is said that if you are a jack of all trades, you are a master of none—but, one must recall, there is at least one exception to every rule, and we found it in Yoomcircle’s ‘Nomad.’
BRAVO!!!!