Polar Bear - Same as You
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 18 / 4 / 2015

Label:
Leaf Label
Format: CD
intro
Disorientating butinnovative sixth album from jazz experimentalists Polar Bear, which is soothingly disturbing and exhilirating in equal measure
The surprise start to the new Polar Bear album comes from Asar Mikael, the owner of Jamaican cultural institution The Light Shop in Tottenham, which is where band leader Sebastian Rochford also comes from. His spoken word wisdom on opening track 'Life Love and Light' paves the way for this exercise in freewheeling jazz funk. Almost straight from the beginning, Polar Bear create an unwitnessed and introverted freeform of tender fragility. Polar Bear are adept at ambitious new folk and avant garde, melting tenderness and grooves with magical ease after years of teasing the ear. Soothingly disturbing and exhilirating in equal measure, they are of similar effect and listening pleasure to me as the Chicago Underground albums which I championed about a decade ago. Jazzy finesses set the tone. Humble breezes and snappy percussion build up this one hour, six track session. Its merit remains deeply soulful thanks to an introverted calm and warmth. The level in experiment never shies off from the gentle steady little pushes and beats heard that can be heard from the onset. Eerie as jazz funk sometimes can be, 'Same As You' has many moments of merry disorientation. Quasi field recordings, slightly tricky electronica and minimalistic keyboard touches are a more than welcome addition. The saxophone though acts as a prime mover. 'Of Hi Lands' marks the finest amongst the many, many highlights. Castanets engaged in a battle with a fiddler produce a rhythm you may not have heard before, in your lifetime. So subtle and ever so gentle, this album is a great adventure.
Track Listing:-
1 Life Love and Light2 We Feel the Echoes
3 The First Steps
4 Of Hi Lands
5 Dont Let the Feeling Go
6 Unrelenting Unconditional
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/sebastianrochfordhttp://www.polarbearmusic.com/
https://twitter.com/polarbear_uk
https://soundcloud.com/polar-bear-music
http://polarbearmusic.bandcamp.com/
Label Links:-
http://www.theleaflabel.com/en/index.phphttps://www.facebook.com/theleaflabel
https://twitter.com/theleaflabel
https://www.youtube.com/user/theleaflabel
https://plus.google.com/109098497483046618790
soundcloud
reviews |
In Each and Every One (2014) |
![]() |
Confusing but inventive and brilliant fifth album from London-based avant-garde act, Polar Bear |
most viewed articles
current edition
John McKay - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Cathode Ray - Interview
Spear Of Destiny - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Chris Wade - Interview
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Shrag - Huw Stephens Session 08.12.10 and Marc Riley Session 21.03.12
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleVinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Little Simz - Lotus
HAIM - I Quit
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Eddie Chacon - Lay Low
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart