Album Review: Rainbow Tip by hrmnzr
So, I stumbled across Rainbow Tip the other day—this quirky little gem from 2012 by hrmnzr. It’s one of those albums that feels like it doesn’t care about fitting into any box but somehow nails every style it tries. You’ve got your experimental vibes, some synth-pop goodness, and a splash of IDM (whatever that even means half the time). The whole thing is released under Dead Pixel Records, which sounds like a label name dreamed up by someone who spends too much time on Reddit. But hey, it works.
First off, let me just say the credits are wild. Like, there’s McMaNGOS producing track 7, Natbird handling track 13, and then hrmnzr doing their own thing everywhere else. And can we talk about how many vocalists show up? Cory Pangilinan pops in for “21 Questions,” Melanie Stanley shows out on three tracks, and Michael Guy Bowman adds his voice to “Parallel Lines.” Honestly, it kinda feels like they invited all their friends over for an impromptu jam sesh, and somehow this album happened.
Now, onto the music itself. One standout for me was “Ocean Journey.” Not gonna lie, when this track kicked in, I wasn’t expecting much. But damn if it didn’t grab me with its chill waves of synths—it literally feels like floating on water. There’s no vocals here, just layers of sound washing over you. It’s dreamy without being overly saccharine, y’know? Perfect for zoning out or pretending you’re starring in some indie movie montage where life suddenly makes sense.
Another banger worth mentioning is “Memories (Spacey Feels For Skylar).” This one’s got more going on—it starts off kinda mellow, almost nostalgic, but then BAM, these glitchy beats come outta nowhere and take it to another level. It’s weirdly emotional, like remembering something important but not quite being able to put your finger on what it is. Plus, whoever came up with that title deserves an award—it’s so random yet oddly poetic.
The rest of the album keeps the energy flowing, though not every track hits as hard as those two. Songs like “Cats And Dogs” and “Waves” feel like playful experiments, while “Someone Else’s Song” leans into a darker, moodier vibe. Honestly, it’s hard to pin down exactly what genre this album fits into, but maybe that’s the point. It’s electronic, sure, but also kinda undefinable—and I dig that.
Oh, quick shoutout to Ricco Harver for the artwork too. Super trippy and matches the vibe perfectly.
At the end of the day, Rainbow Tip is the kind of album you throw on when you don’t know what you’re in the mood for. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. What it does do is remind you that music doesn’t always have to follow rules to make an impact. Weirdly enough, listening to it made me think about how sometimes the best moments in life are the ones that catch you off guard. Kinda like finding a $5 bill in your pocket or realizing you accidentally ordered extra fries at McDonald's.
