(c) Andy Ploetz
Post rock is for jeff a sharp and hard-edged genre. The trio from Leipzig likes to expand their purely instrumental sound with metallic and synthetic elements, accompanied by concentrated storytelling, without ever raising their voice. This also applies to their second album „TAR“. Here they deal with the human penchant for concrete landscapes that cloak natural paradises, striving for a different kind of perfection that can never even come close to achieving it.
Eight and a half minutes to the opening: jeffk have no time for compromises and instead let “Fingers” burble ominously. Brutal dissonances set in quickly, like jambinai without folklore, and find themselves caught in a real emotional roller coaster ride. The way the trio plays with the ebb and flow comes out well. In addition, they never rely on generic, ready-made structures and instead let the track come. There is a wealth of ideas here that other bands can’t even spread on an entire album – roasting heaviness, twisted distortion, crystal-clear to frosty melodies, a hint of danceability, even a touch of math.
“Idle Eyes” is another giant in the best sense. The entry hurdle is a little lower without diluting the digression. Here jeffk let the arrangement come to him. Jam-like character offers the structure a lot of freedom, allows almost epic arcs of suspense. It simmers every second, the next hell ride seems only a matter of time. On the other hand, “Swarm” initially uses clear guitars and jazzy, almost danceable rhythms before the inevitable distortion sets in. It feels like jeffk pack layer following layer for minutes, just to break down the extended finish to the essentials – compact and yet so energetic.
Even in the post-rock field, the approach of the three guys from Leipzig stands out in the best sense. jeffk try to circumnavigate predictable formulas as widely as possible and strive for complexity through changing moods and tempo. “TAR” has a certain jam character, which doesn’t do justice to the epic, clever songwriting. Occasionally close to being overwhelmed, the trio strives for aspiration, instrumental art and constant challenge as a concept of fascinating madness with a touch of metal. What a wild, exciting trip.
Rating: 8/10
Available from: 01/20/2023
Available through: Golden Antenna Records
Facebook: www.facebook.com/this.is.jeffk
Slider pic (c) Andy Plötz
Category: Magazin, Reviews