Whereas the preceding Each Moment Like the First showcased an hypnotic, totally entrancing side to James Holden & The Animal Spirits’ near-eponymous, upcoming The Animal Spirits release as tempestuous synths lent a strange rigidity to otherwise extemporised rhythmic elements, its title track instead taps into strict discipline. For Holden’s dramatic, spectacular arpeggi diligently underpin the piece, locking in brilliantly with Tom Page’s skittering cymbals; but this time round, they merely prime the canvas upon which Zombie Zombie’s Étienne Jaumet – in this instance, every bit the Steve Mackay to Iggy’s Stooges – paints the most expressionist saxophonic colours with the wild abandon of Can at their effervescent, Tago Mago-era best. And as such, The Animal Spirits sounds better and better with every one which escapes from it…
The Animal Spirits is available from November 3rd via Border Community, while James Holden & The Animal Spirits play Islington Assembly Hall on December 6th.