After a long hiatus since their release of Separation Anxiety, the indie band giant Nell made a triumphant return, their years in military service hardly numbing their musical talent. With a brand new 5th album Slip Away, which was released last April, Nell's sound is now deeper, and as experimental as it ever was, incorporating many musical elements together to create this album that now possibly stands at the very frontline of Korean indie music.
From the surface, it's reminiscent of Separation Anxiety. And Nell certainly have retained that calm, yet heartfelt sound they often evoke in their more dramatic songs. Even the swearing in their song, Losing Control, sounds so beautiful with Kim Jong-Wan's soothing vocal.
But there's surely more. In this Album, there's a more extensive instrumental line. Shown here in Hopeless Valentine, with a string section arranged by Kim Jong-Wan. It's always a bit tricky to work strings into modern rock music, but Nell does this with uncanny harmony, even incorporating traces of what they had back in their 3rd album, Walk Through Me.
And then there's some new sounds appearing. Personally, the following song sounds more upbeat and folksy than their usual sound.
So there you have it. Nell's new album, and by god it's a dynamite album. When Nell was gone back in 2008, which was when I was just starting to discover the band, I was struck with disappointment, knowing that they wouldn't be back for many years.
Now, with this amazing return they've made, I would say the wait has been worth it. Don't ever leave us now Nell, and just keep on making music like this.
