ALBUM REVIEW: NoMBe’s ‘CHROMATOPIA’ Is A Rock Star’s Paradise
ALBUM REVIEW: NoMBe’s ‘CHROMATOPIA’ Is A Rock Star’s Paradise
Words By: Jason Russo
Alternative singer, songwriter and producer NoMBe has released his highly anticipated sophomore album CHROMATOPIA. The concept album features 14 unique tracks that chart deeply personal emotions related to NoMBe’s own experiences with love and loss. The album erases the borders of pop, soul, electronic, and rock to create a beautiful mosaic of sound entirely its own. Influences range from Daft Punk to Post Malone to Tame Impala throughout each of the tracks, highlighting NoMBe’s diversity as an artist and music lover.
The album is somewhat segmented into three sections, each headed by a title track: “CHROMATOPIA A,” “CHROMATOPIA B,” or “CHROMATOPIA C.” Each of these instrumental tracks mark the beginning of a new moment for the album, launching us into the start, pulling us back in the middle, or fully sending us to the expressive finale. They truly allow the structure of the concept album to shine.
On the concept behind CHROMATOPIA, NoMBe said, “I decided early on I wanted the record to feel brighter and incorporate a lot of color. CHROMATOPIA originally was the title of a book on color theory my creative director, Bel Downie, found. The album and its title have many layers and its core concept is that ‘love is a spectrum’ (愛はスペクトル : Kanji/Katakana translation which appears on the single artwork). It means that relationship status, sexual orientation or gender fall onto a spectrum that is open to interpretation and ever-changing. YOU get to decide how you want your relationship to be. The color spectrum plays a huge role in showcasing that visually.”
CHROMATOPIA begins with NoMBe crashing into the groove in “Something To Hold On To.” Piano-driven melodies follow NoMBe’s initial thoughts upon the start of a relationship. The track builds on piano before slowing down to delicate synths that follow up with drums and bass notes to lift off into a trap-inspired finale. “Something To Hold On To” feels like a microcosm of the album, complete with distortedly-dissonant piano chords and miscellaneous sounds that showcase the genius of NoMBe’s production capabilities.
A true standout from the album is “Prototype,” the fourth track off the LP. NoMBe plays with an interestingly high-tech concept of being a prototype working towards becoming the fully fledged model he longs to be. The song begins with applause reminiscent of a late-night show due to the ensuing jazzy piano chords and swung drum beat. “I can be a better version if you like/’Cause as far as I’m concerned you’ve only met the prototype,” NoMBe sings, alluding to future progress from current flaws. The Daft Punk influence is strongest in “Prototype” through the futuristic, tech-vibe of the track, but the sound remains entirely NoMBe’s throughout. It’s the perfect summer beach listen that will have you grooving in the surf or the sand.
There are incredibly important tracks on this album like “Boys Don’t Cry,” which rails against the restrictions of toxic masculinity, and “Paint California,” which encourages individuality and human connection. Both support NoMBe’s concept for the album of spectrums being open to development and interpretation, and are both groovy and fun listens. “Paint California” especially sounds like the listener is floating away, with lyrics filtered to sound underwater complete with a banging synth solo.
“Water Into Wine” is without a doubt one of the most intense listens of the album. “Breathing gets harder as holy water fills my eyes,” NoMBe sings, his voice echoing through heavy reverb. This track is surely the reason Elton John himself called CHROMATOPIA “fantastic,” as the stadium-level production allows the track to transcend into something truly amazing. The video for the track plunges NoMBe into the ocean, leaving him adrift to process his fear of loss and heartbreak. It’s a simple yet stunning video that is as equally engaging as the original track.
The album ends with one of the most epic piano solos released this year. “Happy Birthday, Frank!” is arguably one of the most emotional tracks on the album, pulling the listener through several different landscapes fractured by smashing chords and softened by beautiful scales and whimsical piano riffs. It is the perfect ending to the album, and truly marries the concept from start to finish.
NoMBe is the moniker for Noah McBeth, a German native whose fresh takes on alternative and pop music have carved him a unique and respected position in the current music scene. His first viral single “California Girls” led to the release of his critically acclaimed debut album They Might’ve Even Loved Me which currently has over 174 million streams on Spotify. Another concept album, his debut was a tribute to the women in his life who defined who is as both an artist and a person living in this world. Born and raised in Germany by his grandmother and godmother, Chaka Khan, NoMBe has been surrounded by art and music since his birth. He traveled across the globe to broaden his musical horizons, and that period of learning is on fully display in CHROMATOPIA. The album is a huge accomplishment for the artist and is a defining point in what is sure to be a long and lengthy career.
