At times disjointed, sometimes in sync, but always cohesive, TSORPM showcase their hive-mind connection when it comes to communicating with each other, all without sacrificing their individuality as players.

     Within experimental music -or what we now consider as such-, ensembles with an unusual instrumental combination are nothing new, but the effectiveness of their delivery relies on the communication between each member. This can be taken as an obvious statement, but, we humans aren’t perfect, and it would be safe to assume that not every group, band or ensemble can merge successfully to materialize their vision. This debut by The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters is a great example of what can be achieved by being in tune with each other, prioritizing music and sound, feeling and flowing with it, instead of trying to take control. 

     The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters (TSORPM) is a quartet created by experimental turntablist Mariam Rezaei -whose album, Fractured was one of last year’s highlights-, that also includes saxophonist Mette Rasmussen, drummer Lukas Koenig and Gabrielle Mitteli on piccolo trumpet and electronics; and if this already sounds enticing on its own, wait until you hear what they accomplished on this album. 

     At times disjointed, sometimes in sync -but always cohesive-, TSORPM showcase their hive-mind connection when it comes to communicating with each other, all without sacrificing their individuality as players; their approach is democratic, with no place for egos to try and steal the spotlight while they graciously and chaotically glide over different styles, also keeping the locus of their identity as a unit free from easy comparisons: we can pinpoint to certain genres or approaches to improvisation and dynamics, but nothing too specific. 

     When at their most energetic and raw, the intensity matches what we would hear on one of the wildest free jazz -or even some metal- albums; they can also lock into steady grooves surrounded by interesting textures or odd-time chaos as if they were playing an Autechre tune with hardware and instruments; the quartet can also engage in freeform abstraction creating kaleidoscopic soundscapes only to seamlessly take shape again and go head-first into the offensive, as if those passages were a chance for them to stop and recharge. However, when they choose to stay in the abstract, they manage to keep things evolving, as displayed in a track like "Those who stand together for battle...", where we go from turntable and sound manipulation, to a full ruckus created by Rasmussen and Mitteli.

     What we have here, is not just some vanity project. It goes way beyond that, reflecting our current social upheaval, with the intensity of these tracks feeling like an urgent call-to-action. This debut is as much about personal freedom, as it is about what we can accomplish by contributing through our individuality to something greater, striving for a common goal. All the artists here are recognizable, and it goes without saying that their talents are beyond insane -Lukas’ drumming is nuanced, Mariam’s turntablism is not from this earth, while Mette and Mitteli energetically move all over the place with wild virtuosity-, but they shine by what they brought to elevate these pieces, not by what we can hear separately. It’s all about cooperation and communication, and the chemistry is such, that each track sublimates like an alchemical reaction.