N/UM - Yes EP

New York trio, N/UM gears up for their second release on December 8, 2017with the arrival of YES, out on their very own Ninetofire imprint. Comprised of 4 originals, YES was recorded live in a single take before an audience at House of Yes in Brooklyn. Created in free improvisation, the tracks flow into each other seamlessly in such a way that a small element of one track is often transformed into the main part of the next. The live electronic act demonstrates their expansive creativity, using classic instruments like the 808, 909, SH-101 and Mono/Poly paired with their inventive use of voices, guitar and unique samples to produce something completely original. Having already brought their dynamic performances to The Panther Room at Output, Mono, Flash and others, the inception of YES is another ode to creativity from N/UM.

"Induction" – begins with a heavy, hollow bass line that resounds through your chest. An ethereal and otherworldly sound of women chanting repetitively meets guitar chords singing out a soft, melancholic melody. Then a soaring note creates tension from which you are released into the warm heaviness of the groove with a syncopated, rhythmic synth line; the contrast between live and sample elements result in a truly unique work! 

"Elastica" – instantly hits our ears with multiple sounds, creating a somewhat frantic energy. Samples begin to dance around, forming the rhythm. The repetitive structure of this track is strangely satisfying. A layered guitar rhythm calls questions and answer with a bubbly synth line. N/UM’s iconic, backward guitar sweeps over quick bursts of vocal samples while the heavy snare backbeat rhythms make you dance. "Elastica" is an experimental track that will have listeners wiggling in ecstasy.

"Morgenrot" – this track begins with tribal percussive sounds that will have you shaking your hips immediately. Just when you think "Morgenrot" is heading one way, this song takes an entirely new direction. Emotive, uplifting chords combined with angelic vocals create an ethereal mood. The energy builds with rhythmic claps and shakers. Each instrumental layer begins to strip back and then swell once more, moving listeners in and out of its hypnotic aura.

"Yes and No" – a comical bleeping and a bottom-heavy beat contrasted with a mantra in the background catch our attention. The back and forth nature of the track mimics the title "Yes and No”, almost uttering a flirtatious “Maybe”. Around the 4:00 mark, listeners are suddenly taken down a dark corridor. A stripped down heavy groove and a massive synth bass push and pull you deeper into an unknown world. An icy reverb suddenly shoots you over the edge and into complete silence.