EP REVIEW: ONI//KIJO – Memorist

After bursting onto the scene with their debut single Loss back in 2019, MEMORIST have continued to amass a hefty following in their short tenure, racking up hundreds of thousands of views on their music videos. It’s almost time for the hotly anticipated arrival of their EP entitled ONI//KIJO, which is due for release on November 12th via Year Of The Rat Records. Will this effort help propel the outfit to new heights?

Oni hits the ground running with dramatic atmospherics and a commanding vocal presence. The soaring chorus lines are packed full of emotion and really strike a chord, complimenting the vibrant melodies perfectly. The twisting and turning moods prove for an engaging opening track and build up the anticipation for the following material. The Empiric immediately kicks off with punchy, energetic riff work and drum beats, hooking you in with enticing grooves. There is an underlying level of tension throughout the piece which keeps you transfixed, eagerly awaiting what will unfold next. Towards the latter stages, a filthy breakdown is unleashed which is guaranteed to be a surefire hit with the live crowds.

Slither takes an intriguing, almost synthwave approach, further displaying the amount of diversity and creativity MEMORIST have up their sleeves. This also amplifies the impact of the instrumentation when the track bursts into life. Second Sequence possesses a snappy tempo and clean, upbeat tones that have an endearing, accessible quality. There are also slight tinges of darkness in the piece which keep it unpredictable. Kijo has passion pouring out of every pore – the uplifting, invigorating melodies send shivers through your body. This builds up throughout the piece culminating in a powerful crescendo that leaves you in a state of euphoria as it departs.

Whilst incredibly impressive and brimming with variety, ONI//KIJO feels like the work of a band who are still trying to determine their identity and what path they want to take, experimenting to the point that the overall product feels slightly fragmented. MEMORIST clearly have a lot of tricks and talents in their repertoire and hopefully this will be the launchpad to bigger and better opportunities. It will be intriguing to see how this outfit evolves and grows in future years.

Rating: 8/10

ONI//KIJO is set for release on November 12th via Year Of The Rat Records.

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