Supernaive - 'Nekomata' [Album Review]

With an intrepid method towards dance music, French producers and brothers Supernaive release their highly anticipated debut ‘Nekomata’. Grounded in Japanese cultural reference points as well as the French touch, the duo presents a work equally informed by their urban surroundings of Paris and Tokyo. Ranging from elements of stirring electronica to more pop-driven numbers, Supernaive’s enigmatic style recalls the intuitive aptitude of acts like Jamie XX or Mount Kimbie.

Absorbed in ethereal components, the album disconnects from reality taking listeners on a sonic expedition traversing the producers’ influences and appreciation for polished synth-work. Standout single ‘Warrior’ is an energetic endeavour, filled with breakbeat percussion mounting with igniting vocals courtesy of Carmeline. Tracks like ‘Give Me Love’ and ‘Running Nowhere Fast’ take us deeper into the duo’s intuition, offering up intrinsic B-sides that allow them to explore creative soundscapes. As the album features both introduction and outro tracks, it’s clear the debut has been cultivated with a sense of precision and purpose. Finding chaos in the experimental moments throughout the work, Supernaive’s debut ‘Nekomata’ is a methodological album that emphasises their strongest compositions to date.