Kurws is a punk-jazz collective based in Wrocław, Poland, which is as eclectic as the city itself, combining minimalist rhythms of Krautrock with ear-splitting harsh saxophone freakouts à la Kaoru Abe and a penchant for a truly punk punch somewhere between The Flying Luttenbachers and ZS. Ever since the release of their 2012 debut Dziura w getcie (Hole in the ghetto), they seemed to mature a little and exchange punk energy for some jazz attention to detail. On the group’s newest release All That Is Solid Melts Into Air, members of Kurws create a high-tension noise-rock escapade, with mathematical, precise drums by Dawid Bargenda.
Despite the harsh, unkempt sound, the band presents itself as a tongue-in-cheek version of a punk band, adding humorous titles and artwork to their albums. The representational piece of All That Is Solid Melts Into Air is oxymoronically-titled “Tapeworm Small Eater,” with an accompanying surreal music video depicting some sort of weird Rubik Cube Death Kvlt formed among cats and dogs, who die in fire and enter some sort of zombie mode, set to the hypnotic rhythm of damaged, neurotic amplified freak-jazz that hurls forward as if in an amphetamine-fueled fury. There are hints of Shellac in the sheer hardness and relentlessness of Kurws’ music, reflecting the cold wit and technical proficiency disguised as simplicity of their spirit animal Steve Albini through a tradition of free improv, letting the hysterical guitars roar and plow.
Listen to the full length of All That Is Solid Melts Into Air below, and watch the video for “Tapeworm Small Eater” above.
All That Is Solid Melts Into Air is available now on CD via Gusstaff Records.
• Kurws: http://www.kurws.com
• Gusstaff Records: http://gusstaff.com
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