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 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.’
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.
