Slightly unsettling, but strangely soothing, Nessick Berwick’s latest project ‘Get There’ is a trippy piece of art pop undoubtedly. There’s something so effortless and lackadaisical about the record, perhaps best exemplified in the laidback nature of its lengthy opening piece ‘Clever’. But despite its subtle and relaxed nature, there’s something innately worrying and unsettling about the track. You don’t feel entirely at ease, even if all the sounds should point towards that.
Clever might be one of the most intriguing pieces of art pop I’ve had the pleasure to come across this year. The subtle nuances of the arrangement, little eccentricities in the electronic production and backing bass lines alongside a deep and laidback vocal performance just make for an impeccably smooth piece of mellow rock pop. ‘Get There’ is slightly more brighter, with an arrangement that feels spritely and sparkling. It’s not as dark as its predecessor, offering a little bit more light and shine to the record while maintaining the same easy-going and chilled out energy. ‘Hex’ is a definite highlight, an almost Dylan esque arrangement and performance alongside a trippy arrangement that feels trance inducing. You feel spellbound, utterly confounded and bewitched. ‘Alissa’ sees Berwick at his most expressive, letting go of his otherwise nonchalant delivery for something wholly emotively evident. There’s a mood to the arrangement that feels longing, pained, and sweeping as you feel carried away by the breeze.
Get There is a unique record. It’s not quite categorizable, but it finds beauty in the madness. The subtlety in the arrangement, the nonchalance in its mood, and the otherwise all pervading feeling of pure lackadaisical bliss make for a record that’s bound to have you feeling deflated and relaxed in the best possible way.