Nina - Complications

Triest Editions - LP
US, 2020
Left Field / Dean Blunt / Downtempo

Long before Bar Italia, there was Nina, as a solo artist. Back in 2017, long-time Dean Blunt collaborator, Nina Cristante, released an atmospheric album of bizarre skits and miniatures, evoking 1990's Hong Kong soundtracks, James Ferraro, Yasuaki Shimizu's "Music For Commercial" and classic Dreamcast game Shenmue.

Have to say I'm quite surprise to see that this Complications LP is not a sold-out affair yet, considering the IMMENSE hype surrounding Bar Italia and anything even only loosely connected to Dean Blunt. That being said, it sure is considerably weirder than anything ever released by Bar Italia, but absolutely not a surprising record for anyone who heard the stuff they used to release on World Music, prior to signing a contract with Matador and playing Coachella. 

But it's no novelty record ; on the contrary, it's quite consistent: Complications is a very enjoyable set of anonymous instrumentals of varying durations, probably inspired by James Ferraro's early 2010's LPs on Hippos In Tanks, though Nina's world is not as dark as Ferraro's. 

Standing at the intersection of a Johnny To's soundtrack and music from a Sega game from the 00's, Nina brings in the equation an art school vibe. The music is tongue-in-cheek, but not veinly dubious. "Complications 5" and "Complications 7" are genuinely moving piano-led ballads while the 1min20 long "Complications 2" is a rich miniature world of its own. I don't think this faintly distributed record ever reached a shop outside the US, where I got this copy, so here's your chance to avoid ridiculous customs rates.(NM/NM)

Tracklist

1. Complication 1
2. Complication 2
3. Complication 3
4. Complication 4 (ft. Brynje)
5. Complication 5
6. Complication 6
7. Complication 7
8. Complication 8