Ilun’s Bag Full of Empty Bags is a sonic labyrinth—dense, hypnotic, and utterly mesmerizing. Blending elements of noise rock, post-rock, and experimental avant-rock, the album feels like a slow-burning fever dream, rich with textures, atmosphere, and moments of explosive energy. From the outset, it’s clear that this is not just music to be heard but music to be felt. With each track, Ilun takes the listener on a journey through emotional peaks and valleys, weaving together complex rhythms, swirling guitars, and haunting vocals to create introspective and overwhelming experience. At its core, Bag Full of Empty Bags is a masterclass in musicianship, where every member brings something extraordinary to the table. The interplay between the guitars, bass, and drums is intricate, calculated, and yet somehow effortlessly organic. It’s an album that reveals itself in layers, inviting you to get lost in its sprawling soundscapes while also offering moments of clarity and catharsis.
One of the standout elements of Bag Full of Empty Bags is the guitar work, which strikes a balance between minimalist restraint and intricate complexity. The riffs are not the kind that aim to impress through sheer technical skills, but rather through their emotional weight and subtlety. Tracks like “Bag” and “Square” feature guitars that seem to float in the air, creating an ethereal backdrop that feels both calming and unsettling. It’s a delicate dance between clean, reverb-soaked melodies and bursts of jagged, distorted noise that break through like flashes of lightning in an otherwise peaceful sky. The interplay between the guitars is where the album truly shines. Each guitar seems to occupy its own sonic space, one weaving delicate, haunting melodies while the other lays down heavier, more abrasive textures. The result is a layered, three-dimensional sound that feels both immersive and expansive. It’s this balance between the fragile and the aggressive that gives the album its unique character as if the music is constantly teetering on the edge of chaos but never quite falls over.
Beneath the layers of guitar work lies a bass tone that provides the album with its sense of gravity. The basslines on Bag Full of Empty Bags are thick, heavy, and commanding, grounding the more atmospheric elements with a sense of power and clarity. Tracks like “Charlie” showcase this perfectly, with the bass rumbling beneath the surface, creating a tension that propels the song forward without ever overpowering the other instruments. There’s a sense of restraint in the way the bass is used—it’s always present, but never dominates the mix. Instead, it binds everything together, allowing the guitars and vocals to float above while anchoring the entire composition with its colossal low-end presence. The clarity of the bass is particularly impressive given the album’s dense, noisy production. Even in the heaviest moments, where the guitars and drums are battling for dominance, the bass cuts through the mix with precision, providing depth and weight that gives the music its emotional impact. It exemplifies both the musicianship of the bassist and the production, which allows each element of the music to shine without sacrificing the overall atmosphere.
The drumming on Bag Full of Empty Bags is nothing short of breathtaking. While the tempos often remain moderate, the complexity of the rhythms is astounding. The drummer moves effortlessly between intricate patterns, sudden breaks, and dynamic fills, all while maintaining a sense of flow that keeps the music grounded. Tracks like “Screw” are a perfect example of this, where the drums shift from delicate, almost jazzy rhythms to thunderous, tribal beats that drive the song into more intense territory. What’s particularly impressive is how the drums never feel like they’re fighting for attention, even when they’re mostly powerful. There’s a sense of subtlety in the way the percussion is handled, adding to the overall ambiance rather than detracting from it. The drumming serves as both a backbone and a narrative device, guiding the listener through the shifting moods of the album without ever feeling intrusive or overbearing.
The vocals on Bag Full of Empty Bags are haunting, ethereal, and often understated, adding another layer of emotion to the already atmospheric music. The lead vocalist’s range is impressive, moving effortlessly between low, soaring, almost angelic highs. There’s a vulnerability to the delivery that makes the lyrics feel deeply personal, even when they’re shrouded in metaphor or abstract imagery. On tracks like “Cats And Dogs,” the vocals float above the music, blending into the soundscape and becoming part of the overall texture rather than standing out as the focal point. The use of band vocals and harmonies is another highlight, adding a sense of unity and communal energy to the music. The singalongs are subtle but effective, adding depth to the vocal lines and reinforcing the emotional weight of the music. In the album’s more meditative moments, the layered vocals create a calm, soothing ambiance, while in the more intense sections, they contribute to the album’s colossal, almost overwhelming sense of scale.
What truly makes Bag Full of Empty Bags so compelling is the way it draws you in with its hypnotic melodies and keeps you hooked with its propelling energy. The album’s pacing is masterful, alternating between slow-burning, atmospheric passages and moments of intense, cathartic release. Even in its quietest moments, there’s a sense of tension that keeps the listener on edge, waiting for the next explosion of sound. Tracks like “Cats And Dogs” exemplify this perfectly, with their gradual buildup leading to a climactic release that feels both satisfying and emotionally devastating. The melodies themselves are addictive, tunneling into your subconscious and staying with you long after the album has finished. There’s a dreamlike quality to the way the music flows as if each song is part of a larger narrative that unfolds over the course of the album. This sense of cohesion is one of the album’s greatest strengths, as it feels like a complete work of art rather than just a collection of songs.
The production is top-notch, creating a cinematic, immersive experience that enhances the emotional impact of the music. The sound is rich and textured, with every instrument given room to breathe without losing the sense of density and weight that defines the album. The noise elements are carefully controlled, never overpowering the more melodic aspects of the music but adding just enough chaos to keep things unpredictable. The standard black vinyl release feels fitting, as the music has a timeless, classic quality that lends itself well to the analog warmth of vinyl. The sound is crisp and clear, with every nuance of the music coming through beautifully, making it a must-have for any fan of experimental rock. Ilun has crafted an album that feels like a journey through sound itself—expansive, emotional, and deeply hypnotic. With its intricate musicianship, haunting vocals, and immersive production, it’s an album that rewards repeated listens, revealing new layers and depths with each spin. A stunning achievement in noise rock, post-rock, and experimental music, Bag Full of Empty Bags is a sonic odyssey that demands to be experienced. Head to Grazil Records for more information about ordering.
Thoughts Words Action 