When the pandemic hit, Hannah van Loon adopted a dog named Gizmo, who became a much-needed companion while the Bay Area musician wrote her second album as Tanukichan. Aptly named after her new four-legged friend, GIZMO is an exercise in release, whether from situational hindrances — a forced lockdown, for one — or from self-imposed hedonistic coping mechanisms. To channel the more uplifting spirit, van Loon turned to the radio pop-rock of her childhood referencing artists like 311, The Cranberries, and Tom Petty with main collaborator Toro y Moi’s Chaz Bear. Existentialism aside, GIZMO also sees van Loon break out of her sonic comfort zone. Deftones-inspired thrash drums and screeching electric guitars are gracefully contrasted with van Loon’s hypnotic, almost deadpan vocal style and a crystal clear acoustic guitar. Gizmo the dog suddenly passed away right as van Loon finished the album, but he’s immortalized with his photo on the cover.
GIZMO
GIZMO
When the pandemic hit, Hannah van Loon adopted a dog named Gizmo, who became a much-needed companion while the Bay Area musician wrote her second album as Tanukichan. Aptly named after her new four-legged friend, GIZMO is an exercise in release, whether from situational hindrances — a forced lockdown, for one — or from self-imposed hedonistic coping mechanisms. To channel the more uplifting spirit, van Loon turned to the radio pop-rock of her childhood referencing artists like 311, The Cranberries, and Tom Petty with main collaborator Toro y Moi’s Chaz Bear. Existentialism aside, GIZMO also sees van Loon break out of her sonic comfort zone. Deftones-inspired thrash drums and screeching electric guitars are gracefully contrasted with van Loon’s hypnotic, almost deadpan vocal style and a crystal clear acoustic guitar. Gizmo the dog suddenly passed away right as van Loon finished the album, but he’s immortalized with his photo on the cover.