A powerful instrumental rock sound flows throughout NOTHING IS EASY, a new album from Tucson, Arizona-based artist Impulse Nine. An eclectic sound stirs within, spanning from the thunderous vigor of “Heavy Metal Mama” to the jazzy late-night intrigue within “All-Nighter” and orchestral-laden build of “I’m Sorry About Your Everything.”
The release’s inspiration is akin to an audible reflection of life’s ups and downs — capturing its joys and triumphs, though also devastating loss; the artist experienced multiple deaths in his family throughout the recording process, which made an impact, along with societal changes. Set to release on August 1st, NOTHING IS EASY has been over two decades in the making, though its creative process really took off in 2016, when numerous personal tragedies prompted a creative streak.
Opening track “I’m Sorry About Your Everything” immediately captures the personal, introspective potency apparent within the release. Solemn piano and pit-pattering percussion build with enjoyable momentum, traversing with textural allure into twinkling piano and rumbling bass — then escalating into a distortion-laden climax. The structural development, from dreamy into a tour-de-force rock passion, reminds fondly of a cross between Sigur Rós and Explosions in the Sky. Adding to the melodic enthrallment is that “I’m Sorry About Your Everything” was the last song the artist’s father heard before his passing, epitomizing the anguish experienced during the album’s creative process.
Another standout arises in “Heavy Metal Mama,” whose first demo was recorded nearly two decades ago, in 2007. Its heavy-rocking vigor is enjoyably relentless throughout, channeling an infectious fervency; its captivating bridge took inspiration from Shiina Ringo’s bassist Seiji Kameda, one of many memorable moments within. It’s also another personal highlight, with the title for “Heavy Metal Mama” referencing the artist’s mother, who passed away in 2017 from pancreatic cancer. The lushly absorbing opener and the hard-rocking “Heavy Metal Mama” combine to thoroughly showcase Impulse Nine’s masterful ability to traverse different aesthetical realms, all while maintaining a heartfelt thematic focus on the lingering legacy of loved ones.
The album continues to shine on other tracks, as well. “Heat” succeeds in a similarly full-throttle rock invigoration as “Heavy Metal Mama,” while the ensuing “It Might Be Fine (But I Just Don’t Know)” embraces touches of post-punk in its bass-y pulses and shimmering keys. Epic finale “Shadow Over Johnny Ringo’s Grave” is another winner, taking inspiration from Muse’s “Knights of Cydonia” in its climactic fervor, while a spaghetti-western melding with rock shows shades of fellow Arizonans Calexico. “Shadow Over Johnny Ringo’s Grave” is a cinematic-forward, ambitious success that caps off the excellent, affecting NOTHING IS EASY in wholly sating form.
