Alright, buckle up, because Nissu’s Memories just teleported me… somewhere. Nissu, a Brazilian-born, Dublin-based pop artist, has dropped this six-track EP, and it’s like opening a particularly well-organized, yet emotionally chaotic, scrapbook.
The EP, Memories, supposedly functions as an “open diary,” they say. He tackles love, friendship, that whole pandemic thing, and the general rollercoaster of being a person. But does it achieve being truly an open diary? This makes me wonder what he chose not to include in the diary. Why are these six particular memories out of all a person’s possible memories? This is, for real, serious stuff. One moment, it’s the giddiness of new love—like that unexpected feeling when your favourite pizza place invents a new, even better topping. The next, it’s the sting of separation, which feels kind of like finally finishing a jigsaw puzzle only to realise a piece is forever gone.
He is doing something really well. It’s about connection, being in a connection, cherishing good moments and all. Musically, Memories lives in that sweet spot between contemporary pop and a longing for, I don’t know, maybe 80s synth ballads? Or maybe not. Was there a sale on nostalgia at the music store? Who cares. It works (mostly). The vocals are smoothly gliding through the lyrics.
The unifying thread? The various faces of love. Not the kind you see advertised around Valentine’s Day, but the vast, sometimes messy, always complicated experience that can encompass romantic partners, family, and even a very dear neighbour’s pet fish. The overall impact is one of gratitude, an audio thank-you note to the universe, perhaps?
This collection, ultimately, stresses the power of cherishing. Of not only living life but actively holding on to what’s important to go through moments with more resilience and gratitude, having our beloved ones close, even if physically far.
It all leaves you wondering: what memories will we curate, years down the line? What flavour of pizza topping will best describe our own open diary entries?
