New York, USA-based act Goldbloom describe their upcoming album For Money and Power, cheekily, as an attempt to “secure financial gain and political influence.”

By Graeme Smith

The trio have an approach to music quite unlike anything else I’ve heard before. They create jazz in the way a garage band would, manifesting a challenging yet accessible sound. If that wasn’t interesting enough, they mix in some bluegrass for good measure on their new album, celebrating the band’s Texas roots.

The album opens with the isolated horns of Redneck. Some light percussion comes in before the track explodes into a hypnotic, looping groove. Bright brass is nicely contrasted by some rumbling bass in an arrangement that has plenty of depth before things come to a hectic head.

Ways and Wheels follows with a plodding yet dynamic sequence before Ketchup Man brings with it some sultry levity. MM rounds off the album’s early listening with some inviting playfulness becomes pleasingly livelier as it progresses before softening into a reflective final section.

From there we get the psychedelic Roger Ebert v The State of Illinois rubbing shoulders with the laidback yet tart Orange Defender. Cash Grab is a smouldering, rootsy highlight while Another Knight takes things in a surprise post-rock direction. The album is then brought to a close by the slow-building, melancholic Goodbye Porkpie Hat and the simmering farewell of Still Kansas.

Jazz, when done right, subverts as much as it brings joy, and that’s what we get from Goldbloom’s new album. The trio make outlandish statements of greed while backing them up what is clearly a genuine love for the form, all while giving us a fresh approach to a timeless genre. It’s an album not to be missed.

For Money and Power is set for release 7 June, and you can pre-save it here. A digital and CD version of the album is available for pre-order on Goldbloom’s Bandcamp page.