There’s a unique brilliance in music that both confronts and confounds its listeners and Marc Soucy's latest release, "No This Isn't Jazz Either," performed live by Antartica, fearlessly embraces that space. The title playfully suggests that this is not jazz, but it is also difficult to define. The outcome is a richly layered, calculated sonic journey that feels as cerebral as it does visceral.
Soucy, joined by Jeff Carano on bass and Ray Lavigne on drums, has crafted something deliberately intricate, where every note feels meticulously chosen rather than left to chance. These are not improvised musings in a smoky lounge; instead, they are precise compositions imbued with intent, depth, and a touch of chaos that keeps the listener guessing.
From the very first second, "No This Isn’t Jazz Either" feels like it exists in some alternate timeline, one where jazz and prog rock have produced a curious offspring, raised on film scores and unconventional narrative arcs. Soucy’s keyboard work is particularly compelling, guiding the piece like a cryptic storyteller who leaves just enough breadcrumbs to keep you engaged. Carano's bass flows like a conversation, dense, melodic, and occasionally unsettling while Lavigne's drums pulse with an organic tension that maintains a sharp edge. Together, the trio creates a performance that feels not improvised but meticulously crafted sonic architecture built on tension and subtle release.
The accompanying video further explores this mysterious, off-kilter universe. A deliberately surreal series of unsettling visuals unfold onscreen, not quite horror, not quite absurdist art, but existing in a liminal space between the two. These visuals are a manifestation of the track’s unease: angular, unpredictable, and darkly fascinating. Among the chaos, one enigmatic thread keeps reappearing: “JBM,” a mysterious figure or concept hinted at only vaguely. Its lack of explanation only deepens the viewer’s curiosity; the ambiguity is intentional. Like the music, the video invites interpretation rather than understanding.
The genius of this release lies in its refusal to be accessible. It dares you to engage with it on its terms. Soucy’s tongue-in-cheek title serves as both an inside joke and a subtle challenge: “You think this is jazz?” it asks. “Try again.”
What makes "No This Isn’t Jazz Either" stand out in today’s musical landscape is its defiant refusal to be mere background noise. This is music that commands active listening. It captures attention, rewards repeated listens, and raises more questions than answers. Within its sharp edges and abstract forms lies a meticulous beauty, music created for those who seek something beyond melody and rhythm. It embodies mood, structure, cinema, and perhaps a hint of madness.
Marc Soucy and Antartica are not here to fit into genre boxes. They aim to deconstruct these boundaries, reassemble the pieces, and challenge you to label them something new.
.jpg)
0 Comments