I probably overdo it with the amount of time I listen to Wild Nothing’s Nocturne in proportion to the amount of time I spend on the other albums. I felt the music that followed became progressively poppier – which I initially attributed as a bad thing. But looking back at Jack Tatum’s catalog through indie rock project Wild Nothing, I’m reminded that pop, when done right, can still be unexpected and memorable. “Reichpop” is an irrefutable case in point.
The opening track to 2016’s Life of Pause, “Reichpop” is an homage to minimalist composer Steve Reich. But the instrumentation and pacing only makes me think of peak-era Talking Heads. The marimba and xylophone percussion rhythms of “I Zimbra”. The instrumental interplay and rhythmic groove of “Born Under Punches”. And the gentle sway of 80’s anthem “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)”. Maybe that’s why this song resonates so much to me as someone who grew up in the public school system, but was mostly educated by MTV.
Familiar elements, but still pushing and daring to be its own thing. Jack Tatum hasn’t become more predictable. On “Reichpop”, he’s just found a way to throw on a fresh layer to pop – whether it’s on collabs like Japanese Breakfast’s “Be Sweet” or the steady output of records under his primary project Wild Nothing.
“I’D LIFT YOU UP IF I KNEW HOW TO DO THE THINGS THAT I WISH I’D DO.”