Nana Klumpp has concocted their latest single Back on Track, with fragments of inspiration and share their playlist of influences.
The boys from Nana Klumpp use their latest single Back on Track, as a compass for navigating and transforming through different emotional states and experiences with irresistible melodies and expansive guitars intertwined with a collapsing feather-light vocal cadence. It’s a beautiful track that bloomed from the vocalist Jesse, who projects his smooth but fierce energy into lyrical expression.
The lads have put together a playlist that explores their influences and inspiration for their music, with artists such as Sticky Fingers and Tame Impala. Have a read about how each song influenced the different band members and how each track opened up their own musical expression.
Nana Klumpp Playlist
Sticky Fingers – Angel – Westway (The Glitter & The Slums)
This song demonstrates to me how a band’s rhythm section should work. You can hear how locked in the bass and drums are and how that carries the song throughout. The song initially gives off a catchy pop song vibe, but you quickly realize the level of depth to it.
“Pulled off the wings of an angel” is such a heavy and deep statement that gets me every time. The keys and the guitar go together in such a heavenly manner and to cap it off this song, and the whole album for that matter, features some of the most progressive production in the modern music world, the sound is massive.
Tame Impala – Mind Mischief – Lonerism
Everything about this song does it for me, from the vocal melody/harmonies to the delay tones over the vocals, to the lyrics. I can relate heavily to all of the lyrics but the line I relate to the most is “I just don’t know where the hell I belong” I’ve definitely felt this way many times.
The synth line hits me in all the feels as it is one of my favourite kind of synth tones that has ever been achieved, but also the way it creates an incredibly beautiful and dreamy vibe, yet extremely sad and heavy contrast. There’s an imperfection in the looped drum rolls which I love.
I don’t think the song would be as good without it. It has an extremely chunky and groovy bass riff yet still somehow manages to be very pop. Kevin does this with his bass lines in a lot of his songs which is personally how I think he gets his “psych pop” Sound. He also really takes it to that next level of psych when he puts the phaser effect over the entire mix. Possibly one of my favourite songs of all time.
J Cole – 4 Your Eyez Only
In terms of musicality, it seems minimalistic but when you break it down there’s quite a lot going on, the horn section creates an eerie atmosphere that sets the tone for the whole song. While Cole is rapping, it’s predominantly bass and drums with the occasional guitar lick, which seems to form a closer connection between the artist and listener, but when the string section and the piano come in during the chorus it brings it all together so perfectly.
It’s just so raw, it makes you question everything you thought you might know about adversity. Sure, everyone goes through their own shit, and everyone fights their own battles every day that’s universal, but the way Cole’s lyrics share his own experiences along with the perspective of his late friend, the parallels between the two as well as their shared love for their daughters.
By the end of the song, I’m just speechless every time. It’s a long track, clocking in at almost 9 minutes but every second is worth it, it’s like a journey. The whole album is amazing, and it is a piece of work that no words on a page can do justice, you just have to listen on your own.
Thin Lizzy – Downtown Sundown – Bad Reputation
Being a massive Thin Lizzy fan, I love all their music, and I found it really hard to pick one song. However, I reckon Downtown Sundown takes the cake. Every musical aspect of this song, in my opinion, perfectly conveys the setting that the title suggests.
From the picked rhythm of Phil Lynott’s bass guitar throughout the verses, to the vocal harmonies in the chorus, it’s all perfect to me. The lyrics carry a powerful message too. I find Phil Lynott’s lyrics are often written in a way that you can relate to them in your own way, but for me, the lyrics in “Downtown Sundown” set a scene, as well providing hope in love and life, by reminding us that while life is beautifully imperfect, that in itself, is what makes it perfect in the end.
The song itself is amazingly crafted and executed, but the cherry on top for me is the guitar solo. The first half is classic Thin Lizzy, harmony guitars casting a gorgeous melody over the verse chords, before Scott Gorham takes it away with a perfectly structured solo that ticks all the boxes in my eyes.
The shreddage to melody ratio is absolutely sublime. On top of his impeccable note choice, the smoothly overdriven tone of his Les Paul is guitar tone heaven to me. So tasty. If you’re a fan of great guitar work and fantastic songs I highly recommend listening to the whole Bad Reputation album start to finish. You won’t regret it.
Such an eclectic range of musical influences have touched each member of Nana Klumpp differently and allowed them all to bring new sounds to their own creations. For the rest of their playlist, check it out here and bask in the beautiful sounds of some greats.
And don’t forget to jam out to their single, Back on Track below!
