ZSA, also known as Zur Schönen Aussicht, is a meta-band that pioneers the creation of postcontemporary JazzBeats. With over a decade of collaborative existence since 2009, during which they organized six interdisciplinary festivals and performed at over 150 concerts across Europe, they now bring to us “Turbo Charged Up”. Keep reading for my thoughts!
On the outset, their music acts as a gateway to redefining the concept of “jazz” in the 21st century. ZSA masterfully blends intricate Carnatic rhythmic elements with the improvisational artistry of Black American traditions, all while infusing a progressive beats aesthetic. The result is an utterly unique and incomparable sound– the likes of nothing I’ve come across before; and this is laid down straight from the first track on “Turbo Charged Up”, the title track.
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Experimentation everywhere– that is what this album is about. No song sounds like the other from a superficial glance; yet, they are all brought together rather beautifully by the concept of pushing the boundaries of music regardless of what they may even be! The title track is filled with rapped lyrics, a dubstep-esque thumping rhythm laid out in odd meters, and is a lot to take in. Once you’ve found your groove, though, there is no going back. It’s excellent stuff, really, one I would liken to tracks like “Rosetta Stoned”, by Tool.
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The second track, “Verdreifacht”, takes this concept further, but this time, in a bit of a more restrained, 4-on-the-floor sections stitched together with odd meter passages that are complimented by all the instruments in tandem, with a hypnotically catchy hook, all while blending soul, progressive and math rock, and even some elements of electronic music together, to create something rather special, “Turbo Charged Up”, indeed.
The whole fare of this album takes us on a mind-bending journey of experimentalism, from the drumming on “Miraclr Mirror Collector”, to the saturated, black-metal-esque pinched harmonics on “50 Degrees”, to the calmer passages in between the high-power, puzzling parts; and I was a huge fan at the end, with the curtain closer, “Revenge Of The Recluse”, a fitting end to this album.
The mixing and production are befitting of the experience, with stuttered pads and sections all across the album that never lets you sit down and chill– it draws you in, and constantly makes you one with what blares down your speakers, and indeed, it is rather very magnetic in its approach.
Overall, “Turbo Charged Up” is truly an experience for one to have, a rite of passage of sorts, to truly find out firsthand what experimental music really can do and invoke in terms of emotion and power in a listener. Give it a listen here!
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