Self-released / CD/DL / 2025
XIX is a project by Marcin Karczewski, a bassist also known for his work in the duo Ekotonika, alongside drummer Katarzyna Borejsza. And just like Ekotonika, this project dives deep into experimental territory. But that’s about where the similarities end—at least the most obvious ones.
What sets XIX apart is that, while it also seems grounded in improvisation, it’s so minimal in its means that pinning it down to any one aesthetic becomes nearly impossible. The entire soundscape is built solely on the rhythm section. Drums and bass counterpoint each other with striking energy, constantly driving and challenging one another, trying to merge disparate acoustic textures (from the drums) with electronic ones (from the bass), which at times echoes the European school of free jazz narrative-building. More often, though, it leans into a distinctly European approach to distortion and complements percussive play with aggressive, intensely schizoid bass lines.
This is music that’s practically anti-harmonic, though the real insanity doesn’t kick in until midway through the album. The first two tracks feel more like a warm-up—musicians probing, finding common ground to unleash the dissonant madness of the album’s second half. Early on, the tempos are slower, less daring, more chaotic. Yet despite this notable flaw, the latter part—gritty, intense, heavy, and loud—shines all the brighter.
The concept behind this material is almost mystically intense. It has a fairly high barrier to entry, but it’s strangely hypnotic in its own way. And I really want to emphasize this—it’s worth sticking with it beyond those first fifteen minutes. You might feel a bit exhausted by the end, but it’s hard not to admire the chaotic and compelling atmosphere of this insanity. And when it’s over, you’ll almost certainly find yourself hitting play again.
Adam Lonkwic