★ art taken from pyonpyon.blog!★

In this new re-issue of her 2022 debut EP, Niomi tells the story of a highschool girl named Yumi and her troubled love life with 5 punk and rock inspired electronic art-pop tracks.

Track 1: ilusm!!!

Wasting NO time, 'ilusm!!!' throws you right into the concept EP with a screeching warning call before exploding into an acapella bassline, shimmering keys, and lofi bitcrushed ambience, with Niomi's breathy and intimate singing taking the forefront. The narrative of 'ilusm!!' lays the groundwork for the next track on this EP where Yumi breaks up with her boyfriend by telling you that Yumi's boyfriend is assuming all the worst things about her and her behavior.

"Is it ‘cause I don’t talk enough?-- Do I seem that cold to you? I never meant it that way, I just struggle to speak."

This track really resonates with me as a neurodivergent person honestly, and it really gets you prepared for what's next to come up on the tracklist of this EP.

Track 2: vampire (feat. Mafuba)

"So tell me, where’s my piece of cake?"

Following up 'ilusm!!!''s explosion of sound at the end, this track greets you with a trimmed up distorted 808 as 8-bit synths bounce around. The track then crescendos into a wall of atmosphere before entering into Niomi's iconic rock-adjacent art-pop electronic sound as Mafuba and Niomi narrate the EP-defining breakup.

"I wasn’t fit for no, fictional, blood-sucking animal checkin’ my neck for some sign of affection!"

Being one of the most important tracks for the EP's narrative, this song executes what it's trying to say and do very well. I'd have to say this song has to be one of my favorites off this project. It's a very fun and spiteful song and a great listen!

Track 3: homecoming queen

Following up the breakup, Yumi is trying to convince a girl to go to prom with her and maybe even get in bed with her, over a calm lofi atmosphere and guitar strumming. The song then tenses up with a bold bassline and Niomi's singing picking up the pace as it builds up energy for the chorus. The song then explodes into rave-like synths and hardstyle kicks over Niomi's yell-singing as it then falls into a jittery supersaw before it continues the cycle of innovative bit-crushed art-pop. Yumi is resentful towards boys and is comparing this girl to the other boys she liked. The song then takes us into what feels like us being outside of a band-room as Yumi rehearses the song, then messes up.

Insane track, beautifully done, probably my favorite off the EP!

Track 4: dykehitter

Transitioning seamlessly from what feels like the outside of the band-room where Yumi was rehearsing as the schoolbell rings, we can literally hear the spreading the rumors about Yumi and her hitting up another girl. Yumi is insecure about herself and is beating herself up with her poor self-worth. Niomi's singing is accompanied with an acoustic guitar (with co-production from tamiki, producer and vocalist), subtle synths, bit-crushed drums, and lo-fi atmosphere.

"I’m tossing the rocks and I’m hoping to God, that the current won’t let itself in. If you never talk back, I’m left with the things I’ve said, and I’ll never be that. I’ll never be that,"

This track is a nice breath of fresh air in the EP, and I like it a lot. Also the name "dykehitter" is just awesome like idk.

Track 6: port town USA (feat. kqa)

Picking up the pace from dykehitter, port town USA ends off this fantastic EP with a pop-punk song with Niomi's coat of art-pop electronica, a Yumi tries to run away from it all with a girl she likes. Out of all the songs on this EP, this is probably one of the most FUN songs. I love this send-off of a track.

"'Cause nothing's ever gonna be the best... There's good and bad and everyone's a mess!"

This has to be my favorite off the ENTIRE EP. I love FUN send-offs to projects like this, and I also resonate heavily with the narrative of being a runaway.

Tallying up the scores!!!

Sonic Consistency/Coherency: 1

-if there's one thing Niomi excels at the most, its making you know DAMN sure you're listening to a Niomi song. And I mean that as a compliment, truly.

Production/Sound Quality: 1

-This re-issue really stepped it up when it comes to the production. I ADORE Niomi's production, it's really refreshing.

Variety: 0.5

-I believe there's, in truth, a song for almost everyone on this EP, however it never really strays away from it's influences. To be clear, that is not a bad thing!

Track Order/Flow: 1

-The in-between track transitions are just chef's fucking kiss. It makes the world of this project A LOT more immersive just from that small quirk.

Innovation/Uniqueness: 0.5

Cover Art/Naming/Branding: 1

-The cover art is SO good, shoutout to rem, @douxepine on twitter!

Narrative/Lyricism: 1

Theming: 1

Tracklist Quality (Dull, Full, Bloated): Full (1)

Age/Discography Evolution: 0.5

-This EP is only Niomi's debut EP so it's not going to be her best work, however I'd say its a GREAT start for such a talented and creative queer artist in the underground indie scene.

The FINAL SCORE is..............

(8.5/10)

Final Note!

If you're reading this from the future, check out my chichi review! If it's not out yet, STREAM niomi/chichi/yumi NOWWW!!!

★ niomi's twitter ★ ★ home! ★