Japan based project TIMA9 released a new EP titled “LIMINAL”, and it’s their 7 track debut. It is a strong listen from start to finish with so much to come back to. The songs are written and sung in Korean and that is part of its appeal. It’s one of the best records we’ve covered this year.
“Resonance” opens the album confidently. The production is clean and carefully put together, but it still has character. The sound design catches the ear and the female vocals are strong and clear. It makes a good first impression to be honest.
“Imperfect” comes next and the details are so important here too. There is a nice rhythm running through it and the instrumental arrangement has enough variety to keep things moving. The electronic sounds are a big part of why it works for us. They are used with care, the vocals sit well in the mix and the production gives everything room to shine instead of crowding it.
“NO NAME” is the track we kept returning to. It has a softer tone, smooth instrumentals and vocals that are touching without pushing too hard. The melody stays with you and the lyrics add to the song’s quiet pull. We played it on repeat for a long time which says more than a long list of praise could.
Across the 7 tracks, TIMA9 explores those hard-to-name moments between one emotion and another. That idea suits the range of sounds here, though the album never needs to explain too much. The creative production choices help each song have its place and the Korean writing gives the project a great and clear identity.
For us, “LIMINAL” is an album worth spending time with. “NO NAME” is the standout, but the full record shows care and musical skill. We are glad we found this project and we’re ready to follow where it goes next.
