Jaggery is a Boston-based art-rock collective featuring Mali Sastri (vocals, keys), Tony Leva (bass), Daniel Schubmehl (percussion), Dylan Jack (percussion), Rachel Jayson (viola), and Petaluma Vale (harp, backing vocals). They combine their varied sensibilities and predilections to make a lush, versatile sound that melds chamber rock and pop, darkwave, jazz, and classical elements. Each sonic excursion is grand and sweeping, unrelenting on the ears, but pleasant in the demand of engagement. The lyrics provide no reprieve either, tussling with subjects of inner conflict, higher purpose, and even incorporating classic literature for vivid storytelling. They’re named after an unrefined sugar found in Asia and Africa, and it suits them well as their sound enticing, but intentionally uneasy to to digest.

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GENRE MIX

I first heard some of Jaggery’s music two or three years ago. Their genre defying sound never fails to impress me. They experiment, test boundaries, and yet never come across as indulgent. ‘Garden’ is but a small taste of what to expect on the album. It’s music as art, or possibly art as music!

article link:  http://www.beehivecandy.com/2016/03/genre-mix-sophie-lowe-fragile-creatures.html

“Garden” by Jaggery from Crux

TRACK REVIEW:

Creating elegant rapture, Jaggery tantalizes the senses with artistic placement of instruments. Classical urges are fulfilled with Jaggery’s skillful marriage of sound. Surpassing the limits of the rock genre, Jaggery dabbles with aesthetic genius. The concoction of instruments is capable of igniting dopamine in the brain. Mali’s vocals linger in haunting lore. [Dylan Jack]’s jazz direction twists #AvantRock to higher levels – taking cues from classical, jazz, pop, and rock. For me, the strings steal the show. Lingering notes – strummed by finger or bow – run up and down one’s spine. Tony Leva on upright bass, avant-classical viola c/o Rachel Jayson, and…the showstopper: the Celtic harp. Petaluma Vale’s delicate fingerings of the harp mirror the electric energy found in Mali’s unique vocal style. Beautiful and unique, Jaggery implements notes of earthy-romanticism.

article link: http://www.punchland.com/music/avant-rock-jaggerys-garden-new-album-crux/

Jaggery – Crux // Limited to 250 Black Vinyl 2xLP

RIYL: Avant-pop

Label: Self Release

Jaggery is ethereal, complex, and real.  If they haven’t already been on your radar you can thank me after you’ve invested in this incredible album. If “War Cry” doesn’t already have you intrigued, “Garden” truly shows the depth and range of Jaggery. Both of these songs are available as a digital download when you pre-order the LP.

First time on vinyl for this band with a limited pressing of 250 black double LP gatefold albums of their upcoming album entitled ‘Crux.‘

article link: https://slyvinyl.com/genres/pop/jaggery-crux-limited-to-250-black-vinyl-2xlp

Review of ‘Crux’

by Alasdair Kennedy

★★★★☆

Jaggery are Boston’s latest off-the-wall offering, a self-proclaimed ‘avant rock’ group with a frontwoman named Singer Mali Sastri (that’s right – their singer is named Singer).

Their sound is quite simply genre defying – an alien mix of Bjorkish vocals, dark strings, soft pianos, and jazzy percussion. ‘Avant rock’ doesn’t do it justice. For one rock indicates guitars, of which there are surprisingly none on this record.

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