EP Review: Kilter – SYS (Alter-Nativ)

Deep in the heart of Brooklyn’s experimental music scene, one band seeks to marry the heaviness of metal with the madness of jazz. Kilter are the trio in question, led by bassist Laurent David and rounded out by drummer Kenny Grohowski and saxophonist Ed Rosenberg III. After the resounding success of their previous album Axiom, they are back with a short blast called SYS.

SYS will be released on June 25th, 2021 via Alter-Nativ.

We marvelled at how uniquely different Kilter were on the album, Axiom even if we weren’t completely sold on what it offered. Their blend of bass, drums and sax makes for an unusual listen even if there is something so very persuasive about it. You’ll want to hear it, you need to experience it and understand it. Although the latter is one of the hardest things to do. That was Axiom and it all applies to SYS. Three head-scratching, but stimulating efforts that really do embody the words “it’s not for everyone”.

For starters, you probably must have some interest in the saxophone as it is a dominant feature of Kilter. While the bass and drums are well balanced across SYS, the moans and groans of the saxophone are still very prevalent.

Here’s the thing though… you’ll likely find yourself getting to the end and immediately hitting play again. There’s something so ‘moreish’ about the record and being only three tracks long, it’s more than palatable.

The word ‘unique’ gets thrown about a bit too much these days but there is no doubting that it applies wholeheartedly to Kilter and SYS. That’s something everyone can agree on regardless of if you love it, like it, hate it or sit somewhere in the middle.

Kilter – SYS Full Track Listing:

1. Sentient Robotics
2. The Turing Test
3. Mind-Body Problem

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Alter-Nativ