The duo Nuisance, made up of William J. Seidel and Ryan E. Weber, draws inspiration from folk and modern classical, resulting in a new, experimental pop sound. “Qanisqineq”, the title track of their latest EP, perfectly showcases this magic. Its dreamy, yet melancholy tone is perfect for those sad nights, or just easy-listening. The versatility of this track can leave you feeling a plethora of different ways.
Seidel and Weber are no strangers to collaboration with each other, as their friendship goes back many years. They were a part of several groups together throughout the 00’s, such as the indie-rock band Decibully, the alternative group Camden, and the dance-pop ensemble New Sense. Their musical compatibility is something incredibly special, and their work together as Nuisance confirms this.
The instrumentals used in Qanisqineq, interestingly enough, come from a database of sounds Seidel and Weber created for their first album together as Nuisance named Kuchisabishii. Like kids with building blocks, they took the remnants of their first album and reworked them into Qanisqineq. Pieces from various tracks of theirs were seamlessly remastered into new ones, transforming these generated sounds into an entirely new experimental work of art. While some of the sounds are recognizable from Kuchisabishii, completely new instrumentals were recorded and implemented as well. “Qanisqineq” does a great job of showing off this new variety.
Listening to “Qanisqineq” is a soulful experience from start to finish. Listeners are quickly swept off their feet and are taken on a dreamy journey through the clouds. The wistful piano is the backbone of the track, acting as your guide over the course of said journey. Glassy synth delicately compliments the keys, while parts of the song take that glassy sound a step further, resulting in a more electronic, futuristic feel. The swirling mixture of daydream-y instrumentals with the soft whispery vocals will put any listener into a magical trance. Close your eyes and let this dream pop work its magic.
The whimsical melody is relatively steady over the course of the song, giving it that ambient quality. Instead of leading into a big climatic finish, the song just slowly tapers off into silence. It’s quiet, calm, and relaxing, but not without a hint of familiar gloom in the background.
It relies more on the instrumentals rather than lyrics, but the lyrics still play a role in the dreamlike quality of the song. Because of the atmospheric nature of the song, there is a lot of room for interpretation. There’s no lyrics telling you what to feel, it’s all in the instrument’s melody.
Nuisance created a masterpiece that encompasses the ability to adhere to whatever you may be feeling. If you’re trying to relax after a long day, “Qanisqineq” will put you at ease. But, if you’re feeling low, I might start the waterworks. The meaning is all up to you, and your intentions when listening. It takes a special type of song to result in that sort of self-reflection, and “Qanisqineq” does exactly that.
