Nun: Solvents / Cronenberg 7"

- Melbourne based record label Nihilistic Orbs has only been releasing music for a year or so yet already have a back catalogue that would be hard to mess with. From their first release of anthemic bedroom pop that is Jonny Telafone, to the apocalyptic synth doom of Chome Dome, to the unique experimentalism of Brisbane's own Sky Needle, Nihilistic Orbs has become one of the most interesting and progressive independent record labels to pop up in Australia over the last few years Releasing only on vinyl and cassette formats, Nihilistic Orbs have a strong aesthetic and pure vision of what they want to achieve. Their latest release from Nun is a perfect continuation of this.
Nun are something of a supergroup, with members hailing from lauded underground Melbourne outfits Repairs, Woollen Kits and Constant Mongrel among others. They're a new band and Solvents is their first release. The title track is one of the most intriguing songs I've heard all year. A deceptively upbeat and damn catchy synth line pre-empts the toughened reverb drenched vocals of Jenny Branagan, shouting obscured lyrics referencing a dark chemical riddled past, or something like that. It is an effective song that should appeal to more than just cynical fans of weirdo electronica. B Side 'Cronenberg' ditches the hooks and goes into a more abstract free form direction, expanding the soundscape of Nun's as yet small sonic universe.
These songs sound just as good when you are sober as they do when you are wasted, a rare feat for this type of music. You can enjoy this stuff while laughing into your empty goon cup at the tail end of an epic Saturday night just as much as when waiting in line at Centrelink on a lonely Tuesday morning. Behind the reverb and synth domination is a deep knowledge and appreciation of pop songwriting. This may only be Nun's first release but what a grand entrance they have made. The future sure looks bright in their dark world.

- Matt Kennedy.