There are plenty of myths about what it takes to become an artist. Many sound believable. A lot of those are endorsed by already established creative types. And, nearly none of them do the young artists any favours.
If you listen too closely to those pearls of wisdom, you might become someone who experiments wildly with their mind and body and who, eventually, will become bitter and unhealthy. If you don’t listen and just enjoy the process of becoming a better artist, you might just find yourself strolling through a hot Summer night and writing songs about it like The Nghiems.
In fact, the latest EP by The Nghiems, “El Camino,” contains a set of songs about joyously travelling the world for the sake of it. There’s no map that needs to be opened, and no time by which a destination has to be reached. That’s the setup for some of the best pop records ever made.
The EP’s opener, the title track, is an invitation to take a breath, think things over slowly, and take those old four wheels out for a spin. In this particular age, it’s rare to receive an invitation for slow reflection, and even more so to be provided with the soundtrack for it. This may not be much, but it could be everything.
It’s not just the shiny, pop production that makes this an enjoyable listen. The Nghiems wear their hearts on their sleeve, and this attitude bleeds into a sound that favours pleasant melodies, resonant chords, and synth hooks.
“Nobody Move” is another tender, slow-paced song about the inability to do anything when you refuse to wager the integrity of your heart and soul. Meanwhile, the minimalist “Kpop Band” suggests that even those bruises can be healed with good songs, travelling and a touch of optimism.
Where does this leave us? Can we really trust the positive vibes that The Nghiems make their calling card? Life’s easier when you do. On their most memorable and pop-friendly track, “Stay (NaNaNaNa),” The Nghiems paint the scene of a breakup with just a bit more sunshine than likely existed in the first place. If it’s available, why not use it? That’s what The Nghiems feel about the open road, or about the positive energy that you can choose to have.
