Album Review Jerskin Fendrix - Winterreise

Recently there has been a tangible resurgence of the avant-garde, championed by South London luminaries black midi and Black Country, New Road. Enter Jerskin Fendrix, a respected stalwart of the alternative scene that BC,NR leader Isaac Woods once described as his ‘musical uncle’. Rather than adhere to his contemporaries’ no-wave and free jazz influences, Jerskin instead takes his experimental style and melds it with predominately pop-based traits. The result is a complex LP that references everything from Kanye West to 19th Century romantic poet Wilhelm Müller. It can be a challenging listen at first, with abrupt dynamic switches and abrasive synths initially unnerving. Persevere and you are rewarded with a truly unique musical journey. It’s captivating throughout, from the creeping synths of ‘Black Hair’ to the pounding dance rhythms of ‘Swamp’. An exciting debut that puts a unique spin on an already groundbreaking movement, it’s not to be missed.