GoGo Penguin, the Manchester trio that has inspirationally blended jazz, classical, and electronic influences since forming in 2012, has reached a thrilling moment with their new album, 'Necessary Fictions'.
This release finds pianist Chris Illingworth, bassist Nick Blacka, and drummer Jon Scott digging deep internally to reach their integral and authentic qualities at this moment in time. This entails some of their boldest moves to date, such as incorporating modular synthesizers into their sound more than ever before. For the first time, GoGo Penguin expanded their familiar three-man formation to invite guest players, including the Manchester Collective led by creative director and violinist Rakhi Singh. Additionally, 'Forgive The Damages' features the debut appearance of a human voice on a GoGo Penguin recording, belonging to singer-songwriter Daudi Matsiko.
All told, 'Necessary Fictions' is an album of ambitious fresh developments from a band fully at ease with who they are: confident enough to open the door to collaboration, excited about where they can explore next, and keen to have fun doing so.
This release finds pianist Chris Illingworth, bassist Nick Blacka, and drummer Jon Scott digging deep internally to reach their integral and authentic qualities at this moment in time. This entails some of their boldest moves to date, such as incorporating modular synthesizers into their sound more than ever before. For the first time, GoGo Penguin expanded their familiar three-man formation to invite guest players, including the Manchester Collective led by creative director and violinist Rakhi Singh. Additionally, 'Forgive The Damages' features the debut appearance of a human voice on a GoGo Penguin recording, belonging to singer-songwriter Daudi Matsiko.
All told, 'Necessary Fictions' is an album of ambitious fresh developments from a band fully at ease with who they are: confident enough to open the door to collaboration, excited about where they can explore next, and keen to have fun doing so.
STAFF COMMENTS
Barry says: Formerly one of the only bands even slightly jazz-adjacent i'd consider myself a fan of, Gogo Penguin ooze non-frantic, languid and easy. All of this while retaining the sort of impeccable frenetic musicianship and effortlessly beautiful developmental songwriting we've become used to from them. It's impeccable, and it's pretty and it looks *stunning* too. Essential.TRACK LISTING
1. Umbra
2. Fallowfield Loops
3. Forgive The Damages (feat. Daudi Matsiko)
4. What We Are And What We Are Meant To Be
5. Background Hiss Reminds Me Of Rain
6. The Turn Within
7. Living Bricks In Dead Mortar
8. Naga Ghost
9. Luminous Giants (feat. Rakhi Singh And Manchester Collective)
10. Float (Loi Krathong, 2003)
11. State Of Flux (feat. Manchester Collective)
12. Silence Speaks