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Reviews

Tashi Wada — What Is Not Strange?
(RVNG Intl. RVNGNL114, 2024, CD / 2LP / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2026-03-06

What Is Not Strange? Cover art

Many years ago, when I was trying to describe what it is that I look for in music, I came up with “I like music that creates or lives in a world of its own.” This is not the only quality that I enjoy, of course — I can appreciate a new example of an old style as long as it’s well done — but it’s one I often come back to. I had never heard of Tashi Wada before RVNG Intl. sent me What Is Not Strange? and I still don’t know much. What I can say is that the music on this album is extraordinarily original, and to my mind hits the balance between strangeness and relatability just right. Many of the tracks are built around keyboards, but the tones are far from typical, with wobbly pitches and odd overtones, not to mention unexpected note choices. Some parts sound as if they were recorded ages ago on tapes that have stretched inconsistently. Wada’s keyboards (and siren) are augmented by other musicians: Ezra Buchla (viola, electric viola), Corey Fogel (drums, percussion), Devin Hoff (double bass), and Julia Holter (vocals, keyboards). The arrangements are very loose, at times sounding like free improvisation, and not all of the players feature on all of the tracks. Holter’s high, unaffected voice reminds me of Jónsi from Sigur Rós sometimes, though in a very different context. Before looking at the credits, I thought there was a guitar in the mix, mangled with crazy feedback, but it’s apparently a viola. While there is a constant sense of motion, there are no beats or grooves, with some tracks consisting primarily of indistinct drones while others meander through different tones and chords. This is not a kind of experimentation that is harsh or aggressive, generally striking a gentle and meditative pose even when elements of chaos intrude. This is definitely an album where repeated listens are rewarded, and if it doesn’t grab you right out of the gate, I would urge patience. It will be rewarded.

Filed under: New releases, 2024 releases

Related artist(s): Tashi Wada

More info
http://tashiwada.bandcamp.com/album/what-is-not-strange

 

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