Review: Tomorrow’s Tigers Explore Sweetness and Sorrow in Latest EP ‘Next of Nine’
CATAPULTED INTO A SNOWGLOBE OF SOUND — Tomorrow’s Tigers’ newest EP, Next of Nine, begins with the upbeat and hopeful track “Laika.” It suits all the positives that come with reminiscing. Although the lyrics hint at something lost — “I wish we could last forever / In these dreams we had together” — the music itself lends to a more free-flowing joy, homing in on how it feels to finally find peace from past situations.
A self-prescribed retro approach to synth-pop may be the exact ailment to all bedroom pop, experimental indie, and rock lovers alike. Bright melodies charmingly wrap realism, warmth, and an inching concern of despair throughout this rose-colored, yet gut-driven journey.
“Idea In Crisis” keeps a joyous flow with undeniably sweet synth notes as the words themselves move into a deeper introspection. It explores difficulties in expressing ourselves and general contradictions in trying to suppress those feelings. It taunts the listener with a standard way of living, what’s expected of us, and a slight hint of discomfort towards the illusion of choice.
The more somber lyricism of “Idea In Crisis” leads effortlessly into the dreamscape of “Whenever It Hurts.” I’d imagine myself spinning hand in hand in circles with a loved one under the biggest tree we could find while this plays in the background. There’s something comforting about the more pressing guitar notes interwoven with piano post-chorus — as if all angst, misunderstanding, and wonderings lose a bit of their weight here. This track is a solid bridge to a serendipitous wind-down.
A more gentle pace begins our wandering into “So Much For Ourselves,” though it quickly picks up with a classic and still somehow more positive guitar riff. “SOS 99” almost acts as a lullaby, featuring electronic sounds and flutes that are reassuring all the messages that came before. When all is said and done, we have ourselves, each other, and how we move forward.
There’s certain freedom in the sanguine aura that this EP builds. I’m reminded of artists like Video Age and Gus Dapperton. Overall, the artistry that stands out the most in Next of Nine is Tomorrow’s Tigers’ ability to pack meaningful and complicated life experiences into a sweet, relieving, and all-encompassing package. Radical acceptance of any circumstance is what leads to growth, understanding, and ultimate love. If you’re looking for a set of tunes to restore a sense of purpose, for a solo date in Chinatown, or to accompany a sunset bike ride, Next of Nine is the one for you.
Next of Nine is out now.
