The Portland, Oregon-based experimental free jazz group Old Unconscious has released a smattering of singles and EPs since 2018. They gifted us with their first full-length record in May with The Circular Ruins, a fascinating deep dive into shadowy realms where psychedelia and the avant-garde collide.
From the opening track, “Dust to Dust,” we’re presented with a surreal soundscape that feels like wandering through ancient, labyrinthine ruins. Each note and rhythm spirals inward, drawing us into a tapestry of rich, textured sound that pulses with life. “Glow of City From Mountain” is intriguing because of the imagery from the title, evoking a scene of a long journey coming to a close. But at this point, the fun on the album has only just begun.
“Yi People” has an Oriental sound, mainly from Kendall Kracke’s Guzheng instrument. The song marches forward and creates intricate patterns of sound that feel pulled from long-forgotten eras. “Headlands” ebbs and flows like streams of thought, with dissonant chords and unexpected tempo shifts that mirror the unpredictable nature of the mind.
“Daybreak” is a hypnotic journey lasting seven-plus minutes. The musicians skillfully blend traditional jazz with psychedelic effects, creating a hauntingly beautiful soundscape that lingers like phantoms from bygone times.
The title track feels more tribal, with the ensemble demonstrating an uncanny ability to balance chaos and harmony. The song teems with frenetic energy yet always retains its sense of direction. “Lament No. 4” closes the record with Old Unconscious’ dreams and reality intertwining in a brief, more traditional classical piano composition.
Old Unconscious digs into phantom energies in The Circular Ruins to create a mesmerizing collection of mysterious and compelling songs. It’s thought-provoking music, and if you surrender to its flow and bewitching rhythms, it may take you places deep in the unconscious you’ve never been before.
Check out The Circular Ruins by Old Unconcious on Bandcamp here.
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