<p><span><span>- Early in <em>True North, </em>the new EP from Sydney electropop producer Ninajirachi and singer Kota Banks, a series of innuendos lead Banks to repeatedly exclaim, “<em>Yeah the girls!</em>” <em>True North </em>isn’t merely a collaboration between two former label mates or a fusion of their influences ranging from <strong>Charli XCX</strong> to <strong>Cashmere Cat</strong>, <em>True North</em> is a shared escape to a better place; a place where they can have it all: all the emotions, on their terms and first among those, <em>true </em>friendship.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Though Nina and Kota have long been associated with each other on <strong>NLV Records</strong> (fronted by Australian <strong>DJ Nina Las Vegas</strong>), <em>True North </em>is the first time they’ve joined forces. Their new EP is a showcase of their individual merits, coming together. Nina’s production across the EP is bright and bubblegum, capturing assorted synths and samples in an elated haze. Banks’ vocals are euphoric and match the sugar-sweet production, while her vocals give the tracks greater dynamism with witty lyrics that are never shy.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>It isn't all escapism, exactly. There's lustful desire when on the track <em>Opus</em> a self-assured Banks utters “<em>Pick my flower like a lotus / Pussy power / I’m ferocious</em>” - she says it because she feels it. In the dreamy, ringtone-ready <em>Vice Versa</em>, however, it's another story again. If in <em>Opus</em> she lets a “<em>fuckboy part [her] like Moses</em>”, <em>Vice Versa</em> makes very different choices. Her change of heart doesn’t read as regret, rather she's seeking stability. <em>True North </em>is not linear, it’s a mosaic of emotions supported by sonic choices that justify them.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><em>Leaf in the Wind</em> is a lovestruck ballad complemented by dreamy instrumentation that begins subtly but forms into a larger, bass-heavy soundscape. <em>Holy Water</em>, the EP’s closing track, is a metaphor for tears, symbolism that ties the EP’s themes into a powerful final release, pairing Nina’s intricate production with the angelic vocals.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Ultimately it's <em>True North</em>'s title track that is the EP’s biggest standout. Lyrically, Banks determines to stop crying and “<em>Run away to true north</em>” while Nina offers adventurous, noise-pop production that revels in the escapism which is the whole EP is truly about. With all the spectrum of emotions on display, they get to say what happens and how they feel about it, whether they have to go to the true north, or anywhere else to get it.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>- Sean Tayler.</span></span></p>
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