Tanukichan, the brainchild of Oakland-based musician Hannah van Loon, has been a prominent and influential figure in the modern shoegaze scene since 2016. Her initial rise was marked by a fruitful collaboration with Chaz Bear, better known as Toro y Moi, which saw the release of several projects under Bear’s Company Records label. This partnership culminated in the critically acclaimed 2023 album GIZMO, solidifying van Loon's place in the genre.
As Tanukichan gears up for the release of her latest EP, Circles, on September 20, 2024, via Carpark Records, van Loon takes a bold step into new sonic landscapes. For the first time, she has teamed up with a new producer, Franco Reid, marking a significant evolution in her musical journey.
The origin of van Loon and Reid's collaboration can be traced back to the promotional campaign for GIZMO. It was during this period that Reid, intrigued by a press photo of van Loon wearing an Incubus T-shirt, decided to reach out via Instagram. What began as a casual inquiry about her musical tastes quickly blossomed into a creative partnership. Their shared love for music paved the way for the creation of the single "NPC" in 2023, a track that showcased the synergy between van Loon's ethereal soundscapes and Reid's production prowess.
The lead single from Circles, "City Bus," offers a nostalgic reflection on van Loon's childhood bus rides in San Francisco. Through the use of powerful drums and heavy guitar feedback, the track masterfully captures the stop-and-go rhythm of commuter life, while also delving into deeper themes of self-reflection and the quest for belonging—recurring motifs throughout the EP.
While much of Circles is introspective, exploring the internal struggles and personal growth of van Loon, the track "It Gets Easier" introduces a more optimistic narrative. Here, van Loon embraces her evolving maturity in handling life's challenges, expressing a newfound ease in letting go of unhelpful situations and relationships. The song is further elevated by a guest appearance from nu-gaze sensation Wisp, whose ethereal vocals add another layer of depth to the track.
Circles represents a significant departure from Tanukichan's earlier work, which was heavily influenced by the chillwave genre under the guidance of Chaz Bear. In contrast, this EP offers a sound that is larger, more dynamic, and decidedly more expansive. The music feels less like the hazy summer dreams of her previous releases and more like a high-speed drive through the night, with Reid's production bringing a fresh, arena-ready energy to van Loon's consistently dreamy songwriting.
With Circles, Tanukichan not only continues to push the boundaries of shoegaze but also sets the stage for what promises to be a new and exciting chapter in her already impressive career.
