A push and pull between swooping melodic passages and more harshly produced instrumentation creates a unique sonic palate to which Jagged City are evolving their sound in the most diverse, yet truest way possible.
The post-rock trio is completed by Jake Woodruff (Defeater) and Carlos Torres (former touring member of Explosions In The Sky), alongside drummer, and engineer of the record, Urian Hackney (The Armed). Jagged City’s sound can somewhat be best described as a cross between ethereal and melodious post-rock with a jarring and metallic feel, banded together by its raw but intricate form of production. The emerging project announced the release of their debut EP, There Are More of Us, Always, for release on January 30 through their label Pelagic Records. With anticipation of Jagged City’s release, we at Everything is Noise are excited to be showcasing the exclusive premiere as well as providing an in-depth review of There Are More of Us, Always for those intrigued to explore post-rock’s more unconventional and authentic corners.
The record opens with a short melodic introductory track “(don’t dream it’s over)” containing swelling textures and distortion utilised as a backdrop underneath a naturally produced fingerstyle acoustic guitar passage. As the feedback of the EP’s intro crescendos to the end of its runtime, we are met with a mysteriously ominous guitar line which signals the start of the first full track “Imaginary Lines”. The polarising effect of clean, reverb-soaked guitars and a dirty, unprocessed bass sums up the core essence of the album’s uncompromising rawness. This interpretation draws greater depth with the following track “Rain and Sirens”, a short and powerful song that slowing crescendos from these ghostly textures into much darker post-metal territory, that leaves in unfiltered and aggressive instrumentation to convey sorrowful and hostile intentions.
“Ocean East, Ocean West” continues to deliver an eerie atmosphere through dissonant guitar passages whilst the layering of rhythmic instrumentation creates an enormous and intense sense of warmth. The next track “Hairspring” alternately allows the artist’s more harmonious and hook-driven qualities to take centre stage, whilst the earthy bass tone maintains the record’s naturally heavier roots. “Minus Power” continues to pursue brighter and more melodic elements in more detail through intricately layered guitar textures and beautifully executed harmonics. The EP is then concluded by “(deluge in a paper cup)”, which opens with a stripped back lo-fi instrumental before unleashing great lengths of aggression resembling more extreme sonic tendencies before abruptly closing off (perhaps intentional as when I listened to this record on a loop, the final track blends seamlessly well when followed by the opening track, creating an endless listening experience).
“Imaginary Lines” was first released as a single on December 4, 2025, followed by “Oceans East, Oceans West” on January 9, 2026, which gave listeners a glimpse into the artist’s experimental creative process of the record as outlined by Woodruff and Torres. Hackney’s accompanying drumming and oversight in production further helps to refine the project’s overall sound, creating passive layering and delicately arranged compositions that uplift each track, whilst early sessions with David Haik helped refine the songs’ structures and drum frameworks. Woodruff further elaborates on the record’s creative process: ‘This record is a product of collaboration and love and creativity – we hope it inspires people to be connected and think collaboratively and creatively together. That’s the only way forward.’
Both Jake Woodruff and Carlos Torres provided a track-by-track commentary for the whole EP:
“(don’t dream it’s over)”
Jack
This was recorded at home after we tracked the other 6 songs, and was meant as a
companion piece to the last track. When we were sequencing, it made sense to bookend
the record with these songs, and Urian’s mix tied the home recording of this first song
with the two halves of the last song all together.
Imaginary Lines
Carlos:
This was the first track I tracked with Michael James for this EP. And I sat there and
thought that Michael James was the first person to ever record me on a four track and
here we are 32 years later and he is recording me again. It brought back such wonderful
memories and allowed me to spend time with an old friend and set the tone for the rest
of the recording.
“Rain and Sirens”
Carlos:
After the construction of the band I had been tinkering with this bassline for a while.
Some days are better than others, and some days are a struggle. I applaud all of those
who find the strength to get out of bed in the morning. The bass line aimed to reflect the
everchanging mood of myself.
“Ocean East, Ocean West”
Carlos:
I had been playing this song incorrectly since I first heard it. There was a tiny part that
I had missed out on. After initially tracking the song, it was sent to Jake who pointed out
the error of my ways. Sometimes my ear isn’t what I think it is. I had to go back to track
the whole song again. Also, my lovely partner, Melissa had originally created a painting
and titled it Ocean East, Ocean West. I belabored how terrible of a title it was, while the
whole time scheming to use it for myself.
“Hairspring”
Carlos:
My favorite bass player in the history of the universe is Vern Rumsey from unwound.
The floating bass was directly inspired by Vern. An homage. A keepsake for myself, to
recognize his influence on my bass playing. I could never capture his tone, his
electricity, nor could I match his skill but I can damn sure try.
Jake:
This is one of my favorite tracks on the record- Carlos’ bass lines added a whole other
dimension of movement to the original guitar riff. Also, we hadn’t written drums to this one before we tracked with Urian- we just sent him a demo of the guitar and bass. This
was the first song we worked on the second day of tracking, and we played the whole
thing through to make sure all the parts were there, and he played it perfectly. We
decided to start recording just in case we got anything good, and then he nailed it on the
first take. What ended up on the record is a whole first take, and the second time he ever
played the song.
“Minus Power”
Carlos:
When Jake sent me the demo for this track, I was overjoyed by the sheer beauty of
the track. I had been an admirer of Jake’s music for quite some time. I asked myself
“Can I create something that could fit”? This song was created in the feeling out process
of our band, during the embryonic phase. This was the first song we completed together.
“(deluge in a paper cup)”
Carlos:
I was visiting Yoda, and Taka in Mizonokuchi, and found myself with Taka enjoying
adult beverages, and riveting conversation. I shared with Taka that I had a new musical
project. Taka offered to play on one song. I was honored. I have known Taka for 24
years now, and as a fan, but more importantly as a friend. I think that Taka was certain
that I would forget the conversation. Little did he know that I could never forget this
offer, because this, to me, was the offer of a lifetime. Could you imagine being offered
this gift from someone you admired? He has a signature style, a tone, an emotional heft
behind his playing of guitar. We recorded the song, and sent it to Taka and he returned
it one day later and had written this haunting and beautiful melody that is unmistakingly
Taka. I could not be more proud to have this song out there in the universe. Kind of
surreal, unreal and a dream come true. The whole project for me was a dream come
true. To be able to collaborate with admired peers.
P.S. Please make sure to take care of your community. Support people, organizations
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Jagged City have also demonstrated that their DIY ethos is not solely limited to that of musical endeavours after they made considerable noise with “Imaginary Lines” being cut out after 1:04 and replaced with a PSA, when streamed on Spotify. This was done in protest to the streaming platforms ‘investment of AI Weapons, extremely low artist payouts, and promotion of completely non-human made songs’. So if you want to support the band through similar DIY means, you can pre-order There Are More of Us, Always here. Be sure to keep updated on latest news from the band by following their Instagram as well as new releases on Bandcamp.
