New wave, ambient and instrumental but without laboring any of these points; HNN introduce elements of industrial and indie alongside electronics and drone.
With the skies of Europe turning grey La Forme Lente return to your local record store with a debut artist, Hsilgne Nekorb Ni aka HNN. The French imprint has an impressive ear for all things synth pop and dark wave. It is under these genre headings that HNN introduce their first LP, Pièce Radiophonique.
The record opens with an unapologetic toe tapping piece of synth-pop, “Life X-Press.” The tempo is lowered for the moody and beautiful analogue feast of “Renouveau Ordinaire.” HNN have echoes of Frank (just Frank); guitars are employed and indie vocals are present, but it is the synth that takes center stage. Yet, these newbies aren’t afraid to plume the depths; the beatless and dark atmospherics of “Propagande” playing out Side A. Analogue energy returns with “Iris,” fast paced synth lines and machine beats over vocals and strings. The sublime build of “Exhibition” follows, an instrumental work of arching chords; a vintage sound with modern currents. The album unfolds anew with ever track, the record producing some absolutely breathtaking sounds. The title piece brings down the curtain on HNN’s admission, a stunning piano piece for the finale. Slow, subtle and aching.
Pièce Radiophonique is one of the most varied, developed and diverse introductory albums I have ever heard. New wave, ambient and instrumental but without laboring any of these points; HNN introduce elements of industrial and indie alongside electronics and drone. Presenting a true gem with credits to both the artist and label.
Pièce Radiophonique is out now on La Forme Lent.
