Fermion – We Are Nowhere (Mini-Album – Fermion)
Genre/Influences: Electro-wave, experimental.
Format: Digital.
Background/Info: Fermion is the meeting between Augustine Backer and Eric Shans (Phenotract). Both American, artists started to compose music together, unleashing their first six songs in 2019.
Content: It’s not that easy to seize all elements running through this composition. That’s maybe what explains the rather experimental touch hanging over the songs. But the main basis of their writing appears to be some electro and new-wave music. The songs have been supported with mysterious moods accentuated by some space-like effects on the vocals.
+ + + : “We are Nowhere” has something retro-like merged with contemporary influences. It’s a unique production, which is hard to label, but probably appealing form some electro-pop audience. I like the mix of influences, which creates a kind of experimental/pop/ambient hybrid. One of my favorite cuts is the instrumental “Bubble Chamber”, which is driven by a slow, bombastic rhythmic.
– – – : The global approach sounds cool, but I’m missing real highlights. A bit more melodic arrangements would be cool.
Conclusion: This new project brings an easy listening, but not groundbreaking debut work!
Best songs: “Bubble Chamber”, “Echoes Reverse”.
Rate: (6½)
Artist: www.facebook.com/fermionofficial
About Fermion
Fermion pairs Eric Shans (also known for Phenotract) with Augustine Backer. The two met at a producers’ meet-up in New York City, and their collaboration formally took shape in 2019.
“We Are Nowhere”, reviewed here, was their first release. Fermion went on to release the full-length “Elegaic” in 2020, “Hysteresis” in 2021 and “Infinity Terminal” in 2023, before joining Re:Mission Entertainment for “Conflicted” in 2025.
Support Side-Line
More people read Side-Line than ever, and there is still no paywall and no advertising. Readers pay for it instead - from $5 a month.
Why we ask
Advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations we have not put up a paywall, and we refuse to add annoying advertising, so we need to ask for your help. Side-Line’s independent journalism takes time, money and hard work to produce, and we do it to push the artists we like, who are equally fighting to survive.
Handled by PayPal.
I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
