“A series of improvised tracks recorded straight onto tape on a basic hi-fi system, using a loop pedal and mixer,” that is The Japanese War Effort’s description of TAPEHISSBLISS. The title becomes obvious from the first track as a fairly prominent but soft and hypnotic hiss is heard throughout the track and then the rest of the EP.
‘Ralph’s Gonna Fix Ma Bike’ opens the experience with wet synths, wet vocals and a clipped drum loop almost reminiscent of a Radiohead B-side.
The vast majority of the lyrics and melody is lost in the strange drippy effect and this sound makes a couple of comebacks throughout the five track atmospheric jumble.
‘Sophie Says She Likes Me’ is a personal favourite; just a slowly squirming blur of synth loops and simplistic electronic drum sounds.
The simple vocal sounds like it’s trying soar above the wash of sound but is either sailing just above it all or stuck close by and distorts.
The track has the feel of a thought stuck on repeat in your head somewhere between childish bliss and confusion.
‘I Can’t Wear Jackets Inside (I’m Afraid)’ plays like a schizophrenic 80’s pop song heard over a walkie-talkie and given the right context or presentation it could be quite creepy.
The drum machine loop goes throughout like a kid’s keyboard rave while the now with distorted synth sounds blaring like digital glitches and blips.
The melodic vocals and an additional synth part sit much louder in the mix giving a “stressed dream” effect and again are heavy with warping effects.
I can safely say it gets stranger from here on in.
‘Milk Vs Sugar: Sugar WINS!’ carries on the schizophrenic theme with the song now basing itself around a strange looped digital synth “twitch”.
It is joined by an equally twitchy vocal melody that seemingly has no structure.
A drum loop fades in and out at point giving the illusion at first that its heading somewhere but then falls away again.
When it returns again its joined with more synthetic bass drones and the track takes a suddenly melancholic turn with a tired sounding vocal (again sounding distant and dripping with strange digital effect).
When the track just cuts out you are left feeling quite strange.
‘Velcro(w)’ opens with another drum loop and features more synths and warped vocals.
This time the loop is joined by new and subtle sounds and finishes with a synth ‘bloop’.
Now, you can’t listen to these tracks as songs, they are more atmospheres and doodles, yet, that doesn’t make this any less enjoyable or any less of a musical experience.
The EP moves with a clumsy grace, a shaking stillness, a wobbly sturdiness and several other conflicting ideas.
It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but they should give it a try at least, like absinth or cow tipping.
Words: Alex Hynes
