Tanukichan
Circles
Tanukichan has been a prominent figure in modern shoegaze music since 2016. With her EP 'Circles,' Tanukichan ventures into new territory by teaming up with a new producer for the first time - Franco Reid. The lead single of this EP 'City Bus,' offers a reflection on van Loon's childhood bus rides in San Francisco, evoking the stop-and-go rhythm of commuter life through hard-hitting drums and heavy guitar feedback phasing in and out of the mix. Themes of self-reflection and societal belonging permeate the track, echoing van Loon's ongoing personal journey. While much of 'Circles' delves into internal struggles, 'It Gets Easier' takes on a more celebratory tone as van Loon realizes she's developed a heightened sense of maturity when dealing with hardship. "It feels easier to let go of situations or people that don't serve me," reflects van Loon, "Or if they can't be avoided, at least I don't have to dwell on the sadness or discomfort I feel when letting someone down." Introduced by Reid, nu-gaze sensation Wisp, contributes a verse in her similarly ethereal vocal style. There is a notable shift on 'Circles' when you consider the first three Tanukichan releases were produced by a pioneer of the chillwave genre. With van Loon's consistently dreamy songwriting and Reid at the helm, Tanukichan enters new sonic territory that feels larger, arena-ready, and more like a highspeed night drive than the hazy summer dream of its predecessors. Recommended for fans of Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine.