A beautifully haunting production, “Existential Defeat” is a recent track from Fugu Quintet. Simmering strings and lonesome brass tones intertwine within a darkly intoxicating soundscape to start, building into a second half with perkier rhythmic adornments and more expressive saxophone bursts. The project is based in Saint Petersburg, Russia, though it’s technically an “online band,” where all members are located in different countries.
The droning initial section thoroughly intrigues in its creeping momentum, complemented by sounds of a distant piano at mid-point. The piano element begins a structural traversal enjoyably reflective of horror music influence, as the more barren and dark soundscape shifts quickly to the fairly menacing arrival of rhythms. Drone, dark-jazz, and horror music elements converge with artful precision on “Existential Defeat.”
The finale is especially impactful, falling into a cavernous darkness following the brighter blaring of the rhythms and brass. The five-minute turn approaches a ghostly saxophone line that melds with uneasy backing textures, intensifying as the brass squeals into silence. “Existential Defeat” is a grippingly atmospheric achievement from Fugu Quintet.
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The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Obscure Ambient.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
