Maryland experimental emo artist Spring Silver is set to release their new album “Don’t You Think It’s Strange” on August 23rd. K Nkanza who not only performs as Spring Silver, also wrote and plays every instrument on the record. 

I could try and list every genre and subgenre that Spring Silver experiments with on the 8 songs, but that would be doing a disservice to the artist, and the listener. Just as soon as you think you are listening to a catchy post hardcore album, it swerves into oncoming traffic in the form of psychedelic noise rock. You never really know what’s coming next, which is exciting and gives this project its high replayability. I picked up something new every listen, which admittedly makes reviewing an album like “Don’t You Think It’s Strange” a bit difficult.

What is noticeable right away, is the immense talent and creativity K Nkanza displays here. Very few artists have the confidence to create something so divergent, and yet have the ability to keep it cohesive and focused. Make no mistake, every instrument and every vocal throughout the album is carefully placed and meticulously thought out. It’s never jarring, flowing seamlessly from one song to the next. As a lifelong massive Prince fan, I always appreciate artists that do everything themselves, as Spring Silver has done. Speaking of his Royal Purpleness, I can’t help but hear a little funk influence sprinkled through the record, specifically on the bass line in It’s Imperative. 

The guitar playing on the album is at times quiet and subdued, at others K Nkanza is doing their best Jack White impression, with heavy distortion, bordering on sheer chaos. Synths are aplenty as well, especially on the futuristic instrumental She Transports Me Continued. Spring Silver definitely pulled out all of their toys from their toy box when making “Don’t You Think It’s Strange”.

K Nkanza deserves to be lauded for what they’ve managed to create with “Don’t You Think It’s Strange”. Strange? No. Ambitious? Yes. There’s never a dull moment which in this day and age, is very rare. I highly recommend checking it out.

Rating 7.7/10

Release Date: August 23, 2024

Tracklisting:

  1. Another Perfect Day, Another Perfect Night
  2. The Well Mother
  3. Gold Star
  4. It’s Imperative
  5. The Utility Models
  6. She Transports Me
  7. She Transports Me Continued
  8. How Quaint

Reviewed by Jeremy Schmidt