After the Magic

Parannoul is an anonymous musician from South Korea whose music is a noisy, cathartic blend of emo and shoegaze, occasionally with arrangements complex and ambitious enough to be labeled as post-rock or math rock. They released several primarily instrumental albums, mostly under the now-discontinued alias laststar, before making a huge splash online with 2021s To See the Next Part of the Dream, which was recorded entirely on the artists home computer and self-released without any promotion. Following an EP of outtakes as well as a split release and a collaboration, Parannoul released third album After the Magic in 2023, this time with Topshelf Records issuing the physical editions. While previous Parannoul efforts were certainly highly impressive considering that they were no-budget bedroom recordings by an unknown artist, they still felt somewhat limited -- the spirit and energy were there, but the artists technical abilities hadnt fully developed yet, and there was definitely an amateur quality to them. No such problems plague After the Magic, however. The album is Parannouls breakthrough moment, featuring their most memorable songwriting to date as well as their most stunning arrangements. Not quite as overtly emo-influenced as previous releases, After the Magic draws more from chiming, melodic 90s alt-rock, adding electronic flourishes such as glitches and subtle breakbeats, and even approaching chamber pop with string arrangements from Vampillias Rei Miyamoto and trumpet by Fin Fior. There are still explosive bursts of noisy guitar, but theyre more controlled, and rendered in technicolor due to the expansive, dazzling production. Previously released song "Insomnia" reappears in a more vibrant, improved mix, while "We Shine at Night" is the albums most awe-inspiring track, moving from strong vocal melodies to a delicate breakdown and decibel-shredding screams. "Sketchbook" incorporates chirping crickets as well as vocoders, fuzzy electronic processing, and a moment of heavy, thudding dance beats. The elaborate arrangements and sonic trickery never distract from the urgency and emotional power of the songs themselves. After the Magic is a work of wonder. ~ Paul Simpson