Self-Released – 28 Feb 2025
Alternative pop written by someone who definitely knows music theory
Tunnel is the solo project of Natasha Janfaza, featuring Brendan Canty of Fugazi. Janfaza is an accomplished classical violinist with punk rock credentials. Tunnel’s 3 song EP is a good, quick listen that does a lot in little time. Janfaza’s songwriting is great, though I’m a sucker for ambiguous pulses and tonality, two things that show up all over the EP. “MST” opens the album by oscillating between 3 and 4 beat pulses, major and minor tonalities, and thin and full textures in a way that feels exciting, but not distracting from the music. The EP is a feat of balancing for producer Owen Wuerker, who mixes so much into one (usually) cohesive sound. Brendan Canty’s drumming is solid throughout
I love the use of mode mixture throughout this EP. “MST” sits in minor tonalities, but works in major 1 or 4 chords (Beato), creating a bunch of little moments of brightness peaking through the track’s heavy guitar parts. “Ampersand” jumps between major and minor in a way that almost revels in its instability, but the harmony gets kind of hidden by the sheer wall of sound from different synths and guitar effects. “Glide” has a slow start, but builds into a really rewarding climax on the back of its quality production. The chord progressions feel like Tyler, the Creator writing shoegaze, which works incredibly well – the shifts in tonalities create motion and activity without being chaotic.
If you’re into cassettes, the EP is available as one, but otherwise, $10 for a 3 song digital download seems pretty steep, even if the album is a good listen (though you can buy individual tracks for $1/each if you’re willing to take the extra steps). Ampersand hits all the right notes for pop, rock, shoegaze, and even electronic music. Give it a listen – there’s a very good chance there’s something here for you.
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