Short Reviews [Kurws - 2022 - "Powiez / Fascia"]

After more than 14 years together, 300 concerts and four albums, Polish trio Kurws recently decided to disband but one can only hope this is a temporary decision as their last release, 2022’s ‘Powiez;/Fascia’ is very special indeed. The trio of Dawid Bargenda (drums), Hubert Kostkiewicz (guitar, waterphone, bells, chimes) and Jakub Majchrzak (bass) fit in perfectly with the avant-garde artists of Dur et Doux, playing music which has been influenced by the likes of post punk, krautrock, rock in opposition, funk and no wave to create something which is highly experimental and deeply compelling. There are clear arguments that music like this is at the cutting edge of what can even be considered as such and is progressive in its very truest sense as it strives to move into new directions yet also maintaining a continuity which is compelling. The progressive scene in Poland has long been a favourite of mine, and an area I have been involved with for more than 30 years, yet this has far more in common with the French RIO scene and some of the bands in Russia than it does with much of what I expect from that country, which generally tends to be more melodic. The seven instrumental numbers total just under 42 minutes in length and need to be listened to on headphones when there is the time to give the music the attention it deserves as the guys continue to push so that at times there is a great deal of repetition to build a certain feeling while at others it is completely off the wall. It is punk, it is prog, it is refusing to conform and there are even times when lovers of Cardiacs may well find something in here as they bring some elements of pronk into what they are doing. I certainly hope their departure from the scene is somewhat temporary as music lovers need explorers such as these who continue to break new ground.