[Review] Jay Tausig – Unto Other Realms

Californian multi-instrumentalist/vocalist/producer Jay Tausig creates a Progressive Rock sound that spans genres and styles by incorporating elements of Electronic, Psychedelic Rock and Folk. We have come to know him from being a member of bands such as Ex-Chrome, Chromium Hawk Machine, Astral Magick and D’arcana. His new solo album “Unto Other Realms” was released on July 07, 2024 and contains 10 tracks in which he plays all the instruments. A killer bassline opens “Unto Other Realms (Part One),” a track that immediately highlights the artist’s technique both in composition and in all the instruments. The rhythm section is rounded off with solid and elaborate drumming, fine interlacing of keyboards and electric guitar. A succession of solo interventions, tempo changes combining quality Progressive and Psychedelic sounds. The guitar is the protagonist in “Terminus,” a short one-minute passage developed over a solo with psychedelic traits. “Turning Points” features a solid and elaborate rhythm section, full of tempo changes over which keyboards and guitar intertwine. The artist explores Prog sounds with Space Rock veins, using a wide range of sounds, effects and modulations that give it a fresh and modern touch. In a succession of solo interventions, the track is engaging and well constructed, taking the listener on a cosmic journey for over three minutes. The sounds become more elaborate in “Winds Of Fortune,” combining Prog, Fusion and Psychedelia, and everything in between. The artist is adept at offering tracks that are always different and original, as in this case, where keyboards and effects add an electronic touch to the sound. The rhythm section is technical, constantly evolving, allowing the keyboards and guitar to alternate in solo phrasing. This is also a nice journey through the different facets that characterise the artist’s sound. “The Returning” continues the musical discourse undertaken in the previous one, with a more fusion touch and offering complex and technical melodies and guitar-keyboard work. In a succession of musical twists and turns that are at times experimental, the artist offers another three minutes of absolute value. Here we come to the second part of the title track “Unto Other Realms (Part Two),” which is over eight minutes long and evolves the theme of the opener. The bass line is deep and driving, the atmospheres darker than the previous one, with forays into more electronic Krautrock, especially in the keyboard sounds. A long instrumental that ranges between genres and styles, with keyboards as protagonists and refined solo interventions that accompany us throughout the track. An atmospheric intro opens “Perchance To Dream Again,” characterised by more experimental sounds, with an elaborate, slow-moving rhythm section. The sounds are reminiscent of 70s Kraut, with forays into Psychedelia enveloping the listener and enriched with electronic effects and sounds modulated to perfection. An elegant blend of Psychedelia and Progressive Rock characterises “Further, Further Still,” with interesting keyboard layering. Continuous tempo changes allow the central theme to evolve between more delicate passages with guitar inserts, the orchestrations in the background adding a Prog touch. An enveloping, sophisticated track with a delicate but rich sound and very elaborate instrumental phrasing in a melancholic atmosphere. “Cosmic Illusions” features a deep, load-bearing bass line, solid drumming completes the rhythm section. Keyboards and guitar accompany us on this journey into the artist’s most Spatial and Cosmic sounds, with continuous tempo changes and sophisticated solo interludes. The album ends with the epic “Always The Flame It Burns,” which is over 11 minutes long and explores all the musical facets that characterise the artist’s style. Prog, Kraut, Psychedelia find their point of union in Jay’s style, skilful in bringing classic sounds into a fresh and modern context. Elaborate and with technical cues, but always remaining accessible to the listener, offering ideas and developments of absolute value at every tempo change. An excellent conclusion to this work, which leaves us wanting to listen to it again. Jay Tausig shows himself to be a mature artist with excellent technique in both composition and performance on the various instruments. A tracklist that ranges and explores a wide range of genres and styles thanks to the artist’s personal touch. Entirely instrumental, it unfolds elaborate and at times copmplex textures, with keyboards and guitar in the foreground and solid, elaborate rhythm sections full of tempo changes. A recommended listen for all lovers of Progressive Rock sounds with forays into Psychedelia and Krautrock.

Tracklist

01. Unto Other Realms (Part One) (04:37)
02. Terminus (01:10)
03. Turning Points (03:09)
04. Winds Of Fortune (05:54)
05. The Returning (03:07)
06. Unto Other Realms (Part Two) (08:15)
07. Perchance To Dream Again (03:38)
08. Further, Further Still (05:52)
09. Cosmic Illusions (03:36)
10. Always The Flame It Burns (11:58)

Lineup

All Instruments by Jay Tausig

Jay Tausig |Official Website|Bandcamp|Facebook Page|Instagram|Spotify|YouTube Channel|

Author: Jacopo Vigezzi

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *