Niechęć – Niechęć (2016)

Niechęć

Tomasz Wielechowski - piano, synth
Maciej Zwierzchowski - saxophones
Rafał Błaszczak - guitar
Jacek Szabrański - guitar
Piotr Łukaszewski - guitar
Karolina Rec - cello
Maciej Szczepański - bass
Sebastian Witkowski - dub, electronics
Michał Kaczorek - drums

Niechęć

WYTWÓRNIA KRAJOWA 12

By Adam Baruch

This is the second album by Polish ensemble Niechęć, which comprises of saxophonist Maciej Zwierzchowski, guitarist Rafał Błaszczak, keyboardist Tomasz Wielechowski, bassist Maciej Szczepański (who replaces the bassist who played on the debut album) and drummer Michał Kaczorek. The album presents eight original instrumental pieces, composed four each by Zwierzchowski and Wielechowski.

Stylistically the music continues the direction offered by the debut, which is an amalgam of many different sub-genres, and moves between Jazz-Rock Fusion, Electronic & Ambient, Alternative Rock, etc. but manages to avoid being placed in a narrow niche and proposes a unique path. Less dominated by the saxophone front line than the debut, this album allows the other members of the ensemble to make their own statements as well, especially the keyboards.

Although perhaps less surprising (obviously) than the debut album, which was truly shocking, this one offers a more mature, developed material, which captivates the listener with its hypnotic repetitive riffs and dark sound. The Free Form saxophone parts are the most fascinating expressions of the album, but those are kept in check, balanced my melancholic melody lines. The extreme dynamics this album proposes, from soft subdued passages to fierce instrumental screams is the most distinctive feature of this music.

Whichever way one wants to look at Niechęć as a group and this album as their statement, it is obvious they are definitely one of the most interesting young Polish groups on the scene, with this album sealing their position securely. Hopefully they will get international recognition soon, as they deserve it by all means. Their live show, which sadly I have still not had the pleasure to attend, should be a most vibrant experience. There's nothing left for me to do other than recommend this album wholeheartedly, hoping the listeners won't miss this splendid opportunity to discover fascinating and highly original music, which happens rarely these days. Well done!