Jk Flesh – Enduring Endurance [Soil Records]

Soil Records is releasing their album tomorrow to commemorate its fifth anniversary. As we wrap up our analysis of this release, let’s review the 10 tracks that comprise the latest CD. Right from the start, we have emphasized that the greatest strength of this work is its stylistic diversity. It brings together various styles and interpretations, encompassing what we can consider post-punk or any musical genre derived from this movement.

The CD kicks off with “#546,” a piece by Takahiro Mukai, a Japanese artist known for releasing nearly 50 albums since 2014. For this release on the Valencian label, Mukai contributes a track that blends influences from sci-fi techno, industrial, and experimental genres. “Collar de Perro Viejo” marks the debut of Alextanko, a new project with a distinct personal style. In this track of abstract composition, Alextanko presents an ordered chaos where each element freely circulates following specific guidelines.

“The House of Mirrors” is a collaboration between Last Chance and Henry Grey, two projects whose origins remain unknown. Together, they showcase their inclination towards organic darkwave. Information about SZYL is also scarce, as Ian Broch, the head of Soil Records, informed us that many of these debut projects involve renowned figures who have chosen to remain anonymous for the time being. SZYL’s “Sex Girl” leans towards simple yet effective electro, featuring a rhythmic structure, a relatively straightforward bassline, and a seductive vocal performance embodying the essence of the track’s title. Yansyet and Namesis, who released a track on Valley Of Tears 4 last year, make a return on Soil Records with “Better.” In this track, the two Russian projects skillfully blend the energy and rawness of EBM with reimagined electronic textures.

T.D.D, another artist about whom we lack information, adds to this album with “Acid Ocarina,” a track characterized by a distinctive sound structure and a techno-oriented style. It features an arpeggiated bassline and various sharp textures, possibly reminiscent of the sound of an acid ocarina. The melody continuously emerges and integrates with the rhythm. “Paranoid Visions” by Delectro, a Colombian artist, delivers techno with a higher level of forcefulness compared to the previous tracks. It showcases a strident line that intensifies its energy.

Undisclosed 1122, a fairly recent project from Colombia, joins this album with “Trouble Mind.” This track is dominated by powerful synth lines and demonstrates excellent post-production work. German artist Dillon Steele, artistically known as The Marquis is Dead, contributes “Jealous Freak,” which combines the rawness of metal, industrial, and electronic genres. Jk Flesh concludes this album, consisting of 50 tracks by different artists, with “Enduring Endurance.” It presents degraded techno, devoid of harmonics and pushed to the limits of saturation.

Release date: July 4^th, 2023.