Necessary Fictions

Necessary Fictions

by GoGo Penguin
Necessary Fictions

Necessary Fictions

by GoGo Penguin

CD

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Overview

GoGo Penguin created their 2023 full-length Everything Is Going to Be OK in order to cope with loss and tragedy. By the time they started working on Necessary Fictions, they were ready to have fun again. The trio challenged their preconceived notions of who they are and what they do, incorporating different influences, more synthesizers, and working with guest musicians. While they're essentially an acoustic, instrumental jazz trio, they've always played with rhythms influenced by dance music, indie rock, and minimalism, with drums sounding closer to breakbeats than traditional jazz drumming. On Necessary Fictions, they frequently use modular synthesizers, though they often create tones that sound closer to acoustic than synthetic. The slow-moving, spacious "Living Bricks in Dead Mortar" features a buzzing bass synthesizer part that's more ambient than propulsive, and the drifting "Float (Loi Krathong, 2003)" is inspired by memories of a water lantern festival in Bangkok. The delicate, patient "Forgive the Damages" features the hushed vocals of Daudi Matsiko, the first singer to ever appear on a GGP song. Manchester Collective are featured on "State of Flux," adding cascading strings to the trio's tricky rhythms, easily resulting in one of the album's highlights. "Luminous Giants" also features string arrangements, but it isn't quite the same energetic burst as "State of Flux." The complex trap/R&B-inspired beats of "Naga Ghost" feel like new territory for the group. "The Turn Within" starts out with a steadier groove but eventually accelerates, kicking into a frenetic, drum'n'bass-style rhythm towards the end. The slightly dubby and distorted "What We Are and What We Are Meant to Be" is the band's own acknowledgement that they're challenging themselves and pushing themselves forward. ~ Paul Simpson

Product Details

Release Date: 06/20/2025
Label: Xxim Records
UPC: 0198028997027

Tracks

  1. Umbra
  2. Fallowfield Loops
  3. Forgive the Damages
  4. What We Are and What We Are Meant to Be
  5. Background Hiss Reminds Me of Rain
  6. The Turn Within
  7. Living Bricks in Dead Mortar
  8. Naga Ghost
  9. Luminous Giants
  10. Float (Loi Krathong, 2003)
  11. State of Flux
  12. Silence Speaks

Album Credits

Performance Credits

GoGo Penguin   Primary Artist
Rakhi Singh   Primary Artist,Violin,Vocals,Featured Artist
Manchester Collective   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Daudi Matsiko   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Featured Artist
Nick Blacka   Double Bass,Synthesizer,Guitar (Bass)
Jon Scott   Drums
Rosemary Attree   Violin
Chris Illingworth   Piano,Synthesizer
Alistair Vennart   Viola
Peggy Nolan   Cello
Carol Ella   Viola
Dylan Edge   Violin
Anna Tulchinskaya   Violin
Simon Turner   Cello

Technical Credits

Norman Nitzsche   Mastering Engineer,Mastering,Cut
Rakhi Singh   Composer
Brendan Williams   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Nick Blacka   Composer,Cover Photo
Tom Dring   Assistant Engineer
GoGo Penguin   Producer
Jon Scott   Composer
Chris Illingworth   Artwork,Composer,String Arrangements
Joseph Reiser   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Daudi Matsiko   Composer,Lyricist
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