“Kuwaiti Peace Camp” opens with a dark ambience that gradually builds and shapes, becoming increasingly intense. Layers of sound accumulate, creating a complex texture that leads into a beat-driven element around the 2:15 mark. The rolling beats move forward, while the evolving ambient background adds depth and dimension. This track is the second single from Nonlethal Weapons’ forthcoming album All The Universities Have Been Destroyed. It’s a hypnotizing slow burn, blending ambient reverberations with head-nodding beats, making it a song to get lost in. It conveys both mourning and hope, offering a rich and immersive listening experience.
“Razan Al-Najjar” immediately engages with rolling beats that set a steady rhythm from the start. Harmonic chords build a foundational base, and the track slowly shifts and evolves, introducing additional sound elements that enhance its intensity and atmosphere. This track is a tribute to Razan Al-Najjar, a 20-year-old Palestinian medic killed by the IDF during the 2018 Gaza border protests. The song is a slow, mournful dirge that balances experimental and accessible elements, inviting listeners to get lost in its rhythms and emotions.
David Kumler, known for his work as half of the postpunk/darkwave duo Foxxxy Mulder and his solo releases as Occult A/V, brings a unique blend of influences to Nonlethal Weapons. With roots in Seattle’s underground electronic scene, Kumler’s eclectic project blends instrumental hip hop with UK garage and ambient sounds. Through his experimental electronic night, Death Rehearsal, Kumler fostered a space for unconventional beats and Seattle’s thriving hardware electronics scene.
