These instrumental 11 tracks from Graphics—a quartet who hail from Chicago and have been at it since 2017—are unpredictable, unconventional and indeed unconfusing, where harmonies and rhythm are manipulated with much skill for an impressive debut album (it’s technically on cassette).

The jagged and atypical “Recapitulation” starts the listen with Luc Mosley’s lively sax and Jeff Wheeler’s distinct baritone guitar which creates a jazz meets post-punk hybrid. “Moveable Shrub” then follows, and allows for Crawford Philleo’s drumming acrobatics to shine amid the math-rock dynamics that are meticulous and mesmerizing.

In the middle is where “Perseids/Unfolding” and “Towering, Teetering” land. The former is a bit more cautious, dense and noisy in a very deliberate manner. The latter pushes and pulls with a unique tension that flirts with no wave and makes great use of James DB’s skilled bass. “When Are You Coming To Band Practice?” is one of the shortest songs but has the longest title, and it’s filled with angular song craft, rapid shifts in tempo and an animated jazz rock presence that you’re not going to hear too many other places.

Deeper on the back half, “Double Dutch” offers a quirky and quickly escalating prog-meets-punk template, and “Misophonia” exits with a hectic and firm delivery of unconventional and exciting sounds that never sit in one area too long.

The players have a deep history in the Chicago scene, and played in outfits like Big Syn, Vitamins, Lionshead and No Men to name a few, and they bring much experience to this sonic journey. They added the saxophonist in 2021 and it was a wise decision for their unclassifiable vision that might bring to mind Captain Beefheart, Horse Lords, or even heroes from their hometown like The Jesus Lizard, Trenchmouth or Cap’n Jazz, which is very high praise.

Rating: B+

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