Live Review: Ninajirachi just gets better with 'Blumiere' EP

NINAJIRACHI has released her brand new EP titled Blumiere. Out now on NLV Records, Blumiere is five tracks that serve as a crystalisation of Nina's journey as an artist thus far, while also highlighting a very clear path ahead as one of dance's most promising acts.

From previous singles 'Cut The Rope' and 'Blumiere', as well as 'Alight' which we heard earlier this week, we knew we were in for a wild ride on this EP, and now she has delivered. The term "leveling up" is thrown around so much it has become almost void of meaning, but when used in the context of Ninajirachi and this EP, it rings so true. Her progression from her previous Lapland EP to now is truly remarkable, which really is saying something given she has always been at the top of her game. We've been singing her praises for years now (and you can't really blame us), but even for us this EP really feels like a "moment" for Nina.

With 'Cut The Rope' coming in like a crashing storm earlier this year, we heard the first steps of Ninajirachi leaning into exploring newfound elements of her artistic persona including using her own vocals for the first time. Now, looking at the full Blumiere EP, we are either graced with electrifying, formidable masterclasses in just how refined her production has become, or we're gifted with incredibly intimate, emotional cuts that read so personal it's almost like she's shared her own diary entries. From the exhilarating liberation of 'Cut The Rope' to the deeply vulnerable 'Alight', the powerful opening statement of the title track to the collaborative technicoloured world of 'Rainbow Train' featuring Coucheron, there is not one second of Blumiere that isn't an absolute joy to listen to. And, with final track 'Tethered To The Body' bringing it home, you don't get the sense so much that a record is finishing, but that its the start of something much bigger.

We said earlier this year that 'Cut The Rope' was an example of Nina releasing "the exact kind of music she finds herself inspired by," and by doing so she now "sits on the same echelon as her heroes like Porter Robinson or Cashmere Cat in terms of sonic development and how well-executed her vision is." With the Blumiere EP, Ninajirachi doesn't just "level up" but rather her sound has evolved into a more self-assured version of what she's been doing since the very first release back when she was in high school. It's confident, forward-thinking and innovative, and doubles as not only a turning point as she now directs her sights to the rest of the world, but a moment of truly coming into her own. Cliches aside, the sky really is the limit here on out for Ninajirachi!

Plug into the latest music with our FREE weekly newsletter

Blumiere is out now via NLV Records. Buy/stream HERE. NLV Records said in a statement, "This Friday 5 June 2020 100% of Bandcamp pre-orders and sales from Ninajirachi’s new Blumiere EP will be donated to Australian Indigenous Legal Services & Agencies across Australia. These bodies include Aboriginal Legal Service (ALSNSW/ACT), Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM), Aboriginal Legal Service (ALSWA), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS), North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TACINC) and Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS)."

Words by Emma Jones

Image by Christie Wilson

LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC HERE