This week, we had a new addition to our 2025 upcoming albums list to be excited about. Manchester-based jazz three-piece GoGo Penguin announced the release of their 7th studio album NECESSARY FICTIONS, scheduled for release on June 20th, and shared the first single from that journey.

NECESSARY FICTIONS finds pianist Chris Illingworth, bassist Nick Blacka, and drummer Jon Scott digging deep internally into what Blacka refers to as “what we think are our integral, authentic qualities at this moment in time”. That includes some of their boldest steps yet, like leaning more heavily than ever into modular synthesizers.

"Fallowfield Loop" shows us GoGo Penguin in a new dynamic light, with a beautiful mix of jazz and cinematic elements that blend modular synths into their sound. All of this is a bold and vibrant statement for what's ahead of us when it comes to NECESSARY FICTIONS. I love the dark, eerie energy that the song gives off. I couldn't help but feel uneasy in an inspiring way. I also (not sure why) felt a Southeast Asian influence on the record, but maybe that's just me.

Utterly excited for what's to come. Their 2023 album Everything Is Going to Be OK (which we selected as top 100 albums of 2023) emerged from a period of turbulence, with the trio nearly breaking up, welcoming new drummer Jon Scott (formerly of Mulatu Astatke’s band), navigating personal loss, grief, and the pandemic. Amid the chaos, the studio became their refuge, capturing a journey of uncertainty, endurance, and resilience, and that's all going to be channeled in the new record with a name that perfectly reflects this premise, NECESSARY FICTIONS.

posted by Ivo
Yesterday