Nico Fors Drops A Massive and Engulfing Record
- BuzzSlayers
- 9 minutes ago
- 6 min read
And engulfing new album release from Nico Fors hits with such a massive range of sonic drive and presents that it all sort of wraps itself around you and keeps you right where it wants to, as layers of textured sounds, since keys, melodies and noise swim around to the air that surrounds you and create such an intense atmosphere that it's impossible to leave.
The Zero to Infinity record can blend so many different elements of electronic and natural music and instrumentation, and in doing so, it builds something that has a very particular aesthetic.
The undertone of this record is vast, to say the very least. There's such a huge amount of spaciousness and this sort of distant feeling that is strewn across the layers of this record, and it is something that can easily swallow you up.
A lot of this release consists of very unique synthesizers, keys, guitars, and vocals, along with different elements of percussion that build a sort of cinematic backbone a lot of the time.
This can be considered anything from ambient and dark to electronic and rock, depending on the song and the section.
The vocals are used either as spoken word, or a lot of times, almost like instruments themselves, adding a different sort of texture and depth to the already deepening soundscapes that you hear.
Now, songs can be ambient, but they can also be edgy.
"Stars" is an example of a track that provides both at once. You have this overlaying edgy synthesizer drenched in effects like tremolo and other elements of reverb, but it's on the forefront. It's kind of shredding and sharp, giving the whole thing that dark overtone and extra edginess come all while these percussive elements drift and don't really drive the song, but more as a touch of elegance, along with again that expansive underbelly.
There are vocals here too, but as I mentioned earlier, they're used mostly as instruments, and they add tones and extended notes that float around in the song's ether, giving the song a little bit of an additional haunt.
Tracks like "War" give for the bit more of an industrial tonality. They are definitely still on the darker side of things, starting off with vocals that are affected with these octavizing layers and creating this particular Sonic texture.
This has a sort of drone aspect to it. There are a handful of parts throughout the record that people would consider drone, or even darkwave, cold wave, and more.
This is one of the tracks that delivers more of that drone sensation, and it's very big. It's like a wave of intensity that crashes down over you and then slowly lets you sink into it.
A lot of the record is more like an experience. If you put on headphones and listen to the whole thing in one shot, it's an amazing escape.
The beautiful thing about records like this is that it creates these kinds of moods. There's a lot of sound sculpting going on.
This is not a record built with keys or synthesizers that were packaged and ready to go. These sounds were messed with. Effected, dialed in, disrupted, and those elements of creating synth and electronic sounds that have a crunch or a dark edge to them are a huge part of why this record works so well.
Anyway, the songs create these moods. Even with vocals, the songs can let your mind sort of go free and branch out to wherever it wants to.
You do end up painting pictures in your head or even thinking of certain kinds of memories of your own while you listen to this record, but it's going to be a different experience for every person who listens.
Everyone is different, everyone has lived their own life, but the music is going to take over and start pushing your mind in different directions.
"Darkness" is a very experimental track that features a lot of decimation in terms of sense and key sounds and tones. It is fuzzy and still delivers a sort of impact that has its own sort of color and atmosphere to it.
I love the percussion on this one because it's a little bit more experimental and again, pushes on that cinematic factor even further.
"Queen of Heaven" is a crazy track. The beat makes me think of old school Nine Inch Nails records, and the vocals are sort of spoken word, but not at the same time, but have a certain way of pulling you in.
The album is set up almost like a book, play, or even a film.
You have these chapters or acts that you go through, including intros, interludes, and the final outro.
The actual outro of this record is outstanding. It's one of the more colorful tracks on the record, riddled and dipped in pop overtones, and it has a different flavor than some of the other songs on the record did.
I definitely still thoroughly enjoyed the synth and key work on this one, as I did the entire record, simply because it keeps you on your toes.
Right down to the last outro, this is a record that has surprises around its corners.
This is just one of the many reasons I suggest listening to the entire thing all the way through.
After listening to this record a few times, and sort of considering it to be almost like a cinematic play or a book, I realized I needed to have a chat with Nico Fors to find out more.
You listen to this sort of ear-bending record, I have a read through of our interview with the artist below.
Don't forget where you hurt all this first.
Let's talk about Zero To Infinity! This is a massive album with all kinds of experimental electronic and outside-the -box songwriting with vast undertones! ! Where did this album come from?
The album was inspired by Salem's album Fires In Heaven and Grimes’ Halfaxa! With sonic as well as some thematic inspiration coming from these two albums.
I'm hearing a few different approaches to this record! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
The biggest influences for this album were Salem and Grimes, but overall I find a lot of inspiration from Lana Del Rey, Knocked Loose, Poppy and Charli xcx.
Did you record this at a home setup, or at a big studio?
I recorded and produced the album in it’s entirety at home. From start to finish!
What kind of synths do you use for records like this?
I mainly use plug-in instruments. Mainly those from Spitfire Audio. A lot of the times I edit the instruments a bunch with different audio fx to make them sound nothing like the original instruments. I used this technique a lot on this album.
How did this all start for you as an artist?
I’ve always been into music, at least since I was about 3 or so. I used to have a cassete recorder with vocal fx as a kid, and I loves it. Later on I dabbled in making music as a teen, using Ujam’s free browser based DAW that they used to have back in the day. I also participated in band class at the time at school. But yeah, I started making music more seriously about 6 years ago and am mostly self-taught. I did have a vocal coach at the beginning, so when it comes to singing I did have some help! I’ve made purely instrumental music before this album, ranging from dark ambient to something along the lines of classical crossover, and a bit of minimal techno and microhouse, all exeperimental. I love experimentong with stuff and breaking some of the general musical ”rules”. Basically, I love weird stuff in music.
Are you performing live right now?
I’m not currently performing live, but am working towards doing so in the future!
Now that this is out, what's next for you?
I’m currently working on some new music, inspired by Knocked Loose and Charli xcx. Basically, something kinda metal but also kinda hyperpop. This new stuff will include harsh vocals and most likely a lot of vocal fx.
Who's in all your headphones right now?
At the moment I’ve been listening to a lot of Spiritbox, Poppy, Linkin Park and Bambie Thug, and a bit of Matt Maeson!
What would you tell people they can expect on this release?
People can expect a mystical journey filled with struggles and experimental soundscapes from this album.
Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music?
I’d love to say how cool it is that those that have found the album have found it, as well as show my appreciation for everyone who listens! I’d also love to encourage any of the listeners who also make music to make exactly the kind of music they would love to make if they have the chance to do so, and to not be afraid of stepping outside their comfort zones a bit when it comes to that. Be brave when it comes to creative experimentation! Try to stay as authentic as possible!