Jar of Hope - 2011 - Ultraviolent

(24:05; Jar of Hope)

The EP "Ultraviolent" was the first creative output by Polish band Jar of Hope, but while the material was the first they recorded it wasn't given an official release until the end of 2011, after the release of their debut album. A remastered edition of the EP appeared in 2018, as the so far most recent output by the band. The music here resides somewhere inside of an indie or alternative tradition, with a few unconventional blends of style elements to boot.

The recurring element throughout here is psychedelic rock, which exists as either dominant motifs or as more supportive undercurrents in all of the songs. Often with a few dips into post-rock landscapes along the way. While opening cut 'Smile' is perhaps more of a psychedelic rock dominated affair, explored inside of an alternative rock context, second cut 'Mr. Green' and third song 'Follow You' are compositions with a bit more of a noise rock foundation with psychedelic support and a subtle punk attitude at times. The concluding track 'Feel What I Feel' change gears again, taking us into landscapes with much more of a post-punk style orientation, with some noise rock embellishments and a subtle post-rock flavoring.

While the material seems a bit underdeveloped at times the songs are also charming encounters, elevated by an above average mix and production. And while my personal taste in music doesn't make this production any more than a charming acquaintance, I can easily hear and understand that this is the kind of EP that will be somebody's gem of a music discovery. A production to seek out if a perhaps slightly naive and rather charming blend of noise rock and psychedelic rock sounds like something that you might enjoy.

Olav M. Björnsen, December 2022

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