Melancholia, ever so relevant in the dreary patches of loneliness we all face in life, envelops the listener in "Going Nowhere" — the indie-rock act Sulevin Uni has embraced the role of singer-songwriter to convey his inner feelings of dejection in hypnotic soundscapes consisting of broody atmosphere and pensive lyricism. In the course of his latest album, the creative lets his vulnerabilities out in the form of an authentic and stirring collection of records.
Juuso Nousiainen, who has adopted the moniker of Sulevin Uni, began his journey under the alias in 2020 with the debut "Thundercloud." Right away, the muted tonality of the instrumental and vocals from a hypnotic yet bleak output. Down the line, the Finnish musician disclosed albums and singles, claiming influences from independent and alt-rock pioneers the likes of Tame Impala and Radiohead, even stretching to psychedelic realms inspired by Pink Floyd. Prominent features that demarcate his offerings are the bilingual performances, genre-fluid production that breaks usual convention, and Sulevin's soul-weary (at times cathartic) renditions.
Look no further from the opening track "Lost in the System," the production deftly brings an alternative rock style arrangement with the shimmering guitars; the singer takes this somber opportunity to let out utter frustration, deeply rooted in existentialist thoughts (encased in lyrics like "Doing the same thing over and over//Like an Android, what's the difference?"). The experimental tones of the guitars are propelled by varying cadence, as towards the end it erupts into a purgative crescendo with dissonant chords and guttural screams. "Who Are You" comes right after with a texture-laden sound design— full of digital pings and organic elements in the backdrop— as a reverberating vocal chant and kick-drum encompass the soundstage— the performance centers on identity crisis and fluctuating self-perception, rendered intriguing by melodic guitars.
"Mielikki" and "Tapio" gravitate away from previous aspects into softer, nuanced acoustic indie-folk territory; the former is dedicated to the Finnish deity of the forest, followed up by the latter without breaking pace. Halfway through the introspective "Pineal Gland," we are acquainted with the airy and spacious set-up, having transformed from the introduction quite much. "Aika Ajaton" on the other hand, paints a gloomy and icy scenery with the droning synths and subtle guitars, as the vocals effuse warmth in this gloomy yet compelling composition (sung from the perspective of a Parkinson's disease patient). In sonic experiments such as this, Sulevin veritably proves his devotion to bending the rules, ultimately presenting an artistic and avant-garde creation that defies labeling.
This signature remains rooted in "Budapest Eyes" as well, which is a feel-good number, functioning on dreamy guitars and reflective singing, bordering on Shoegaze on its approach, turning much more of an overdriven classic rock by its denouement. "Kaunein" transfixes with elevated harmonies and soaring lead vocals, shying away from any instrumentation, a meditative piece that is an evocative finisher to this unorthodox LP.
Listen to "Going Nowhere" on Spotify, and stay updated with Sulevin Uni and his upcoming projects on Instagram.
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