Kyoto Lo-Fi - “Nico”
“Nico” is the latest single by Ecuadorian act Kyoto Lo-Fi and it is a sublime slice of modern psychedelia. Rich in sonic textures, the track will captivate you with its tranquil melodies.
The song begins with a pleasant, mellow vibe that has been built with panning psychedelic sounding guitar chords and dreamy synth keys that pan and melt underneath the vocal. The song then enters its main stride with the introduction of drums, which provide a solid groove for the rest of the song.
The arrangements over the verses are pleasingly stripped back, with guitar chords continuing to dissolve underneath the drums. Bass is later added to give a deeper foundation and organ keys further punctuate the song’s pulse. I love the meticulous attention to texture and space that Kyoto Lo-Fi have given to this track, sprinkling fuzzy lead guitar to enhance the song’s melodic lines.
The vocal of “Nico” gives off a calming and introspective vibe that fits the music and the song’s lyrical content while being surrounded by a wonderful ambience of reverb. Kyoto Lo-Fi adds that “The song lyrically is a conversation with myself and about myself, dealing with the uncontrollable self-hatred and imposter syndrome I've had (and maybe a lot of people have?) throughout my life. It's named “Nico” after me.”
“Nico” is a gorgeous song that is full of laid-back tones, rolling layers of guitars, and dreamy vocals. This one is definitely for all fans of modern psychedelia who may be looking for something more than Tame Impala or Pond.