On their debut release, Seattle's Nostalgist descend into a realm of dark sonics. Drawing upon both the visual and emotional aspects of classic film noir, Monochromantic snapshots a world of indecisiveness and swirling intrigue. Here, alienation is the constant theme-be it in regard to haunted romance, disintegrating friendships, or questioning one's moral values. "Illusory" whisks away its eerie opening with an immediate detonation of Asa Eisenhardt's warm, dreamy guitars, their walls of fuzz meshing as one with the solemn lead work of guest player Nick Bassett (Whirr) and Martin Berg's plodding drums. Contrasting almost entirely, B-side "Twisting, Slowly (Cleansing Doubt)" considerably ups the tempo and replaces melancholy with a bitter, focused rage. As Bassett's leads keep the hooks intact over Berg's deft cymbal work, Eisenhardt's deep vocal narrates a tale of betrayal, finality and departure. Now, with full-time bassist Jeff Spencer in their ranks, Nostalgist plunge further into the cinematic void. RIYL: The Chameleons, Whirr, Jesu, Smashing Pumpkins, Nothing, Joy Division, Hum