Jegong – The Complex Inbetween
Release Date: 9th June 2023
Label: Pelagic Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Krautrock, Electronic Rock, Noise Rock.
FFO: Neu, Tangerine Dream, Ozric Tentacles, Public Service Broadcasting.
Review By: Phill Thorne
Krautrock can, in my humble opinion, be either very good or very bad. Captivating sonic landscapes or fragmented, unlistenable noise. This new album from Jegong, “The Complex Inbetween” falls very much in the former category.
From the opening booms of “Come To The Center” to the pulsating nigh on seven minutes after that, combine that sound NEU! made their own, and an almost commercially accessible rhythm not dissimilar to Public Service Broadcasting.
The mesmerizing synth sounds of “Clear The Way” that go along with the propulsive drums led me to feel I was on my way to the centre of the Earth itself.
“KurkOM” begins with the sound of what can only be described as “prisoners marching in chains” which then turns into a dark, hypnotically repetitive sound.
“Night Screaming Moves” even takes some significant parts from Jean Michel Jarre in places as it builds this intricate musical tapestry that, by now, you are absolutely embedded in.
“Former Wish” is the closest to an Ozric Tentacles track on the album, Ed Wynne would absolutely adore this. It’s my favourite track without question and Dahm & Reto, this masterpiece’s creators need to acknowledge they have created something special with this album
Focus Defocus takes its foot off the accelerator a bit, with there being even an element of a Sigur Rós sound in the way it’s put together to allow the listener to breathe.
An Oval and A Star, the albums final piece, just provides a perfect crescendo and outward exhale.
The word “Jegong” in Korean means “Offering” – this offering is something I’ve not heard the like of before. The versatility to delve into ambient areas, ethereal patterns and aggressive melodies is something to aurally experience.
(4.5 / 5)
