Twenty One Trillion – 18​,​17​,​16​,​15 EP 12″ (Expert Word Records)

Last week, you had a chance to read a review of “LP2,” a second offering of Twenty One Trillion, a Columbia, Missouri-based post-rock duo. The band has treated us with “18​,​17​,​16​,​15” their latest extended play release strictly limited to 50 copies on black vinyl. While working on “LP1” and “LP2,” Twenty One Trillion had around 200 tracks to choose from, so after picking those that would end up on their debut and second full-length albums, they also picked four for this EP. The name of this extended play comes from the track titles. If you missed my previous writings, these folks are not just another regular post-rock duo that you’re stumbling upon on the web, social media platforms, and streaming services every day. Quite the contrary, Twenty One Trillion always offers more thanks to their boundless creativity, unlimited source of ideas, and musicianship that often goes beyond comprehension. 

Besides the fundamental elements of post-rock music, the duo also combines some of the finest properties borrowed from retro and modern psych-rock, space rock, experimental, and art rock. Like I said in my previous reviews, Twenty One Trillion handles all these sonic ingredients pretty well, as each composition arrives with an entire amalgam of ideas and instrumentations, resembling all the significant eras for these genres. Still, the duo nurtures its style that stands out from the remainder of the contemporary music scene. These tracks are rock-solid proof of my statement. Each number arrives with an adequate, rock-solid base propelled by intricate, dynamic, energetic, well-accentuated beats, breaks, fills, and other drumming acrobatics. Todd Ramsey’s drumming keeps everything tight and in line, ensuring there are no flaws in the rhythm. Also, he’s responsible for all the programming, sampling, and synths, all the elements responsible for such a rich and luxurious atmosphere that helps Twenty One Trillions achieve that psychedelic sound. Still, Justin Nardy is also responsible for some electronics, sampling, and keys here, but his guitar and bass works are something I should talk about more. Just Like Ramsey’s drumming, Nardy’s leads, themes, melodies, harmonies, chord progressions, riffs, and other virtuosities are details that draw the listener’s attention and keep his listening apparatus engaged to these tracks. By using regular, baritone, and 12-string acoustic and electric guitars, semi-distorted bass, and other similar instruments Nardy’s entire sonic arsenal is on display here.

Both musicians sound impressive from scratch to finish, delivering nothing but premium instrumentations that will indulge the ears of even the pickiest listeners. Each of these four songs arrives with a complex structure accompanied by many segments that gradually reveal even more details, nuances, and instrumentations. It’s also good to mention that this material comes between “LP1” and “LP2,” considering that is more psychedelic than the debut, but still more raw, unpolished, and post-hardcore than the second one. All four songs are standouts in my opinion, as each one of them has something fresh and unique to offer to true post-rock/psych-rock fans. You should consider purchasing “18​,​17​,​16​,​15,” because it is a proper follow-up to the remainder of Twenty One Trillion’s discography. It’s limited to 50 copies, so act fast. Head to Expert Work Records for more information about ordering.