Saxophonist and composer Josh Johnson, who plays with Jeff Parker and Meshell Ndegeocello, has announced that his new LP, Unusual Object, will arrive on April 5 via Northern Spy Records.
First single “Free Mechanical“ is an electro-acoustic concoction built around pulsing synths and a wandering saxophone. The play between the digital and “live” sounds creates a fascinating tension that gives the song a brilliant propulsion.
Regarding the single, Johnson says: “‘Free Mechanical’ was one of the last songs on the album to come together, but also the quickest. I’ve become somewhat obsessed with trying to make a collection of tiny machines bend, stretch, and ultimately sing. Here, the challenge was to create a whole world out of one improvised chant-like idea. A friend said the words ‘Free Mechanical’ in conversation and something clicked—the concept seemed like a beautiful description of this record’s ethos.”
The album is, according to Johnson, “a development and documentation of a more personal world of sound.” With Unusual Object Johnson asks: “What’s it like for me to create the context for my sound, to frame it myself?” While that question is theoretical by nature, it’s fascinating to hear him apply the question and attempt to answer it on “Free Mechanical.” Check it out below and pre-order Unusual Object here.
