First things first—what the hell is a penumbra?
pe·num·bra/peˈnəmbrə/Noun
1. The partially shaded outer region of the shadow cast by an opaque object.
2. The shadow cast by the earth or moon over an area experiencing a partial eclipse.
With that out of the way, I feel better about discussing Jaggery’s new record—and I suppose that “penumbra” is an acceptable place to start. There is something other-worldly about Jaggery’s brand of sometimes gothic, sometimes classical chamber pop. It brings to mind the spirit of something lurking in the shadows and it feels as though their performance may be informed by the interactions of the sun and the moon on the Earth.
Jaggery’s use of harp, stand-up bass and viola, coupled with their chant-y, middle-eastern vocals bring to mind ancient music, but they manage to deliver a thoroughly modern sound. Singer Mali has a voice all her own but, for the sake of comparison, I often hear shades of Kate Bush at her most experimental. When applied to the gypsy like chants and reels of Jaggery it becomes a sound beyond simple descriptions.
To get a real idea of what Jaggery is all about, check out two of their thoroughly creepy videos—O Scorpio and Sea Of Sideways. Or, better yet, catch them at their Wednesday night residency at the Lizard Lounge later this month (8/17, 8/24, 8/31).
–George Dow