The new Zs lineup (Sam Hillmer, Greg Fox and Patrick Higgins) sounds very much like a new band, at least as evidenced by the Grain EP. The two side-length tracks (coming in at a total of 42-minutes) bear the marks of Zs’ sound – repeated phrases, looped or played in situ; buried drones and harsh electronic tones – but it does sound very much like a new band.

There’s an extended ambience to the album that trick perceptions of time. Glitches and waves that last only a minute or three somehow feel as if they’ve gone on throughout the whole record. Something very mysterious goes on within the grooves. Hillmer and Higgins (who also arranges Bach for guitar and has composed for the Mivos string quartet) teamed up to create Part One of Grain while Greg Fox (Man Forever, Guardian Alien) built Part Two. The album was beautifully mastered by Heba Kadry of the Lodge. It’s a great listen and it’s also an inventive segue.

Featured Artists:

Sam Hillmer
Patrick HIggins
Greg Fox