Square Peg Round Hole – Juniper

Juniper is the new full length from experimental instrumental trio Square Peg Round Hole. I have no idea where to start with this, the drumming ranges from sparse to frantic, this underpins the obscure instrumentals that overlay the beat. This isn’t just a band that haven’t found a singer, their compositions wouldn’t work with vocals, they include obvious instruments, but mainly there are keyboards, vibraphones and even the inclusion of found or discarded objects they have utilised to broaden the depth of their soundscapes.

Juniper is a certainly a bold artistic statement, this is not an album that has been made with any commercial intent, it is the sound of a band making the music they want to make with no compromises. The album has been superbly mixed by Copeland‘s Bryan Laurenson, he balances the multiple sounds and instruments to make a unique soundscape, it is one that shifts randomly between the discordant and frantic to the intimate and comforting. This is an album that stand firmly on it’s own and defies being pigeonholed or attached to any recognisable genre, they are vey much a square peg in a round hole.

Square Peg Round Hole is a well chosen band name as they are a truly unique beast, part sparse post punk beats, part demented lullaby, part obscure chemical induced relaxation and part demented movie soundtrack. It’s not often I hear a band where I have no frame of reference but Square Peg Round Hole are exactly that. There is no one else doing anything like this, and a spirit of independence is always something to be admired. I can’t imagine when I’m going to listen to this again, but there’s a fair bet I will when the mood takes me, as we all need something a bit strange and experimental in our lives from time to time.

Juniper can be ordered, and streamed, here