Copenhagen’s best neo-jazz quintet, OTOOTO, has returned with some of the most tranquil and atmospheric music to wrap up 2024. Their third album, 2nd Quake, was released on November 8th through April Records and followed up their 2022 sophomore release Dosage.
The group consisting of; Jonas Due (trumpet and flugelhorn), Oily Wallace (alto sax and flute), Calle Brickman (keys), Andreas Svendsen (drums and percussion), and Matthias Petri (bass), show off their collective talents for contemporary jazz in this welcomed addition to their discography. For this new chapter in the band’s career, they recruited Sofie Birch to accompany them with soundscapes, guitar, and vocals during the tracks “2nd Quake,” Runge,” Endowment,” “Silver Age,” “Arch,” and “Lace.” While Henrik Holst Hansen who recorded the band’s prior album Dosage, performed the shaker on the song “2nd Quake.”
According to the band, their name “OTOOTO” translates to “soundscape” in Japanese - which perfectly conveyed the overall vibe they’re going for with 2nd Quake. Inspired by ‘70s rock and European church music, this album separated itself amongst other albums in the contemporary jazz genre of music by incorporating thematic images of lush countrysides, and wandering valleys. Thus OTOOTO continues to thrive in their element and is well on their way to becoming a house-hold name.
While this step into a new chapter and direction is a welcome one - it’s also refreshing that they’re staying true to their own unique themes and visions. An easy and obvious example of this was reflected in their elegant and basic artwork they chose to use for their albums. All created by Signe Bagger and designed by Enrico Andreis, these pieces of art tell an entire story with minimal imagery - leaving the listener to sit with their own imagination and conjure up what they think the story might be about, and how it’s ultimately related back to the wondrous music.
Where OTOOTO’s prior album Dosage was influenced by synth layers, tape machines, and Virginian hip-hop/jazz group Butcher Brown - 2nd Quake took a step back and portrayed a bold and more mature look at the world and environment. According to the group, “Our mission is to reflect modern society and put a sound to its vibrations. And through this sound we seek to transmit purity, love, and joy.”
2nd Quake shone bright, but most notably on the tracks, “2nd Quake,” “Runge,” “Silver Age” and “Endowment.” During these songs the listener is transported to different areas like open and lush green fields, to dark and stormy mountains. For example on track three “Runge” the song began with gentle bird calls and pleasing wind chimes, which therein led to a graceful caress of the vocal melody and enchanting guitar.
If Dosage could be described in one word, that word would have to be “funky” due to the album’s groovy nature of pushing listeners to dance, move, and have fun. Whereas the word that would describe 2nd Quake would have to be “serene.” This is due to the paint strokes that each instrument creates in order to form this perfect portrait of an undisturbed world, and the peace that we can all find within ourselves.
