Most of my exposure to Japanese rock (j-rock) has been through Anime theme songs, but it’s a genre I’ve dipped further into from time to time when an Anime theme has really grabbed me, especially with bands like The Pillows, Flow, Nico Touches The Walls, Veltpunch, and Maximum The Hormone. So when I saw this promo for fulusu’s debut American release Old House 1, it totally piqued my interest. This album starts out with some ambient noise on ‘Ra’ that continues into second track ‘Consideration: Rain’ and abruptly ends to reveal the melodic j-rock … Read more
Monthly Archives: August 2017
Seiðlæti – Þagnarþulur
The Icelandic entity Seiðlæti recently released their debut album, Þagnarþulur. The folk music duo – Uni and Reynir – interprets there seventeen poems with minimalistic, ritualistic percussions conveyed by a total of six musicians. Right off the bat, I have to draw some easy comparison between Uni’s voice and world-famous Icelandic singer Björk. Both voices share some timbral similarities, especially when referring to the less experimental, folk side of the latter. Maybe it’s the inherent sonority of íslenska that bring the two closer in my head, but whether that is the case or not, I want you to know … Read more
Chryste Panie – Chryste Panie
Chryste Panie – Polish for “Christ, Lord” – released their self-titled album earlier this year. The quatuor plays an interesting blend of free jazz and ambient electronic music inspired by devotional and shamanic music. Here, the synthesizers stick exceptionally well to the ritualistic free jazz aura the band is conveying. The droning notes and chords are exploited to their full extent by saxophonist Michał Małota, while the drummer and percussionist provide rhythmic continuity and occasional eccentricity. One of the defining moments of the album is on “Wejście”, when the folly picks up and a very rare entrance of a voice … Read more
Anomalie – Métropole
From the Montréal metropolis comes yet another jaw-dropping album. Anomalie is the alias of musician and producer Nicolas Dupuis, and Métropole is their debut EP. The strong grooves and heavy electronic funk are what will immediately jump to you upon listening, and you can’t help but be caught by the flow. This EP oozes of Snarky Puppy and Tigran Hamasyan, among many others, but with a definitely more electronic music edge to the jazz artists mentioned. Amidst all the keyboard and piano virtuosity lie beats in various feels, like the swing feel and other shuffles – among which some … Read more
Monthly Recommendations: July 2017
The trio’s music is really impressive! The first disc is often reminiscent of German favourites Ikarus – minus the scat –, with their entrancing odd rhythmics and polytonal melodies. Truly, a chef-d’œuvre of modern jazz composition and interpretation. On the second, slightly shorter side, a new world opens up and it sounds like an entirely different band playing, which is at the same time enthralling and disorienting. You’ll quickly get along to the idea, considering just how interesting this part also is.
… Read moreAt over an hour and a half long, the musical side of Yellow Fog Sword