Humiliani by Sun Waahs: Review

by Gabe Finch March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

Fresh out of Lisbon, Portugal, the debut single from Sun Waahs is a trippy sonic journey to the otherworldly sound of the band. With ‘Humiliani’, the band sets themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the experimental neo-psychedelic scene.

The track starts with a reverb-soaked dreamy vocal over an equally dreamy wobbly guitar and steady beat creating a hypnotic, ethereal atmosphere. As the song progresses, it speeds up a little in pace with the addition of other instruments and layers of genre-bending lo-fi electronic elements. Combined with the lullaby-like vocals, the song creates a kaleidoscope of sounds that takes the listener to another world. What sets the song apart is the ability to transcend the listeners with the surreal experimental nature of the sound while still being accessible. The crackling sounds give the modern chops of lo-fi a vintage feel. The interlude of the song may remind some of The Doors. While describing the sound, one wouldn’t be wrong if they said this is what Radiohead and Tame Impala would sound like if they time-traveled back to the 60s and joined forces.

The accompanying music video for ‘Humiliani’ is just as captivating as the song. It’s a reinterpretation of the “Triadic Ballet” by Oskar Schlemmer, adding a trippy and surreal element to the already otherworldly sound. The video goes hand-in-hand with the intricate instrumentation of Sun Waahs making it feel like a visual representation of the song.