- Humcrush is the appropriate new name for improvising duo Thomas Strønen and Ståle Storløkken. Taken from the title of their first album released under their names, hum and crush is precisely what this does: thick, rich hums emanate from Storløkken's keyboards, and crushing percussion from Strønen's acoustic drums and live electronics. Both are regulars on the Norwegian experimental music scene and on the Rune Grammofon label: Storløkken's instantly identifiable synthesiser appears on countless recordings but he's most prominent as a member of Supersilent, while Strønen plays in ambient jazz group Food, has released solo albums on the label and has appeared on ECM.
For the most part 'Hornswoggle' delights in fiendishly intricate yet super-tight percussion displays upon which are thrown icy sheets of synthesiser. 'Cyborg II' is an excellent introduction, rapid-fire bursts of breakbeat percussion beat out on acoustic and electronic instruments, Storløkken adding tough but fragile plinks and washes of texture. 'Hornswoggle' makes a louder entrance with harsh high-volume wails, but the free jazz pummel, here more acoustic, is equally sharp. 'Anamorphic Images' starts restrained, with glockenspiel twinkles sat beside rimshots and kitchen sink rattling but soon erupts into similar cacophany. There's surprise and glee around every corner with neither musician lapsing into complacent gestures, Strønen's melange of live and electronic percussion being particularly mesmerising.
This endless barrage can also become exhausting, but thankfully there are, albeit few, moments of respite. 'Roo' finds keyboards dominating, hazy, rippling lines slowly unfolding to lightly buzz with electricity. The final 'Cyborg I' is similarly subdued, a low drone bubbling to the surface while drums tinkle and tap, overwhelmed by occasional outbursts of searing synth whorls. Part free jazz, part 70s prog, part modern breakcore but very much a world of their own, Humcrush have crafted a rewarding album.