Hailing from Northland, alternative rock four-piece Tempist Fujit—their name a clever play on the Latin phrase tempus fugit, often translated to “time flies” - have been kicking around for a number of years now. Indeed, they have already released their debut album, Time Flies, in 2018. However, nestled as the centre-piece of that album lies their latest single, the anthemic culture-fusing Home.
Opening with a lush, multi-layered intro that combines natural birdsong with silky-smooth vocal harmonies, the attention is immediately grabbed by the heart-felt rendition of a traditional tauparapara (or karakia). While the inclusion of a Te Reo Maori is not a completely unique concept (having also been used by artists such as Tiki Taane and more recently by Alien Weaponry), Tempist Fujit use this in a fantastic way. The Te Reo piece is short, sharp, and incredibly powerful. It reaches deep into your soul, and as the clean guitar chimes under the final words, you just know you’re in for something special.
Indeed, Home lives up to its intro. This is a kick-ass, dynamic, hook-laden gem of a track. Musically solid, the classic combination of tight drum and bass and crystal clear, funky/skaesque off-beat guitar really works for this track. In particular, it works to really elevate the vocals – providing a tight, yet interesting musical bedrock for the lead vocal to sit over. The rocker in me longed for the return of my long hair, especially during the face-melting guitar gymnastics of the solo section.
The vocals are gorgeous, but also restrained – you just know that lead vocalist Lisa has a massive voice that she’s keeping contained. But it is that use of vocal restrain that makes this track interesting, there’s a tension that seems to be literally begging for a massive high note, but it’s a note that she just never quite lets come. She hints at it a few times, but steps back from the edge before leaping. Through this incredible play with tension and release, the listener’s attention is kept throughout multiple (even consecutive) listens.
My favourite part of this gem of a track is the bridge section, which brings back the cross-cultural groove with the tauparapara / Maori vocals and the chorus vocals playing off each other. It’s an absolutely killer section, that must rip the roof off venues live.
Tempist Fujit (a play on the Latin word Tempus Fugit meaning Time Flies)
A 4-piece dynamic rock band from Northland New Zealand.
Having created a sound that captures a wide range of individual genres creatively placed into the bands signature solid rock style with powerful lead vocals and hard-hitting live performances, when thinking of new music and were to start Tempist Fujit is the place to look.