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. Escape Don’t