Jazz and hip-hop outfit Monkier is the brainchild of pianist, saxophonist, and rapper Zac Evans, who formed the band in 2013 out of the local Atlanta jazz scene. For a time the group’s lineup was in flux, but eventually settled into its current incarnation of Andrew Lastrapes (guitar), Brandon Boone (bass), Robert Boone (drums), Umcolisi Terrell (alto saxophone), Justin Powell (Trumpet), Richard Sherrington (Trombone), and Will Hollifield (tenor saxophone). Each is an accomplished jazz musician in their own right, but their combined talents has produced a heap of dexterous accompaniments to Evans’ feverish, stream-of-consciousness rapping.

Following the release of the group’s impressive self-titled debut in 2014, Evans departed Atlanta to get his masters degree in jazz composition at UT Austin, whereupon Monkier entered a period of relative dormancy. But now, after two years of near-silence, the band is gearing up to release their sophomore LP Highs/Lows. Evans says we can expect a more electronic and production focused record, along with a smattering of fresh elements that weren’t heard on the first album. “There’s a decent amount of drum machine layered on top of the drum set,” Evans reveals via email. “There’s synths with the horns, distorted flute pads, Moog bass, muted piano, random samples from 1980s computer documentaries.”

Listeners can find a preamble to the new record in the single “Cold Open,” the video for which Immersive is proud to premiere today. It seems like there are endless layers to this track, and peeling them back will take multiple listens. However, the journey is a rewarding one and what you’ll find at the core is an expressive and polished fusion of jazz and hip-hop. The song’s arrangement is expertly crafted and Evans’ lyrics are as raw and sincere as anything on Monkier’s debut.

Featuring hallucinogenic visuals of Monkier’s trademark monkey-faced characters gyrating to the track, the video is as intriguing as the song it portrays. Maybe it’s the mask, but as some points, the visuals become almost unsettling. Regardless, it remains an enjoyable and faithful representation of Monkier’s music, and an intriguing peek at what fans can expect from Highs/Lows.

Highs/Lows is out May 31. Pre-orders are available now.

More Info
Web: whoismonkier.com
Bandcamp: monkier.bandcamp.com
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SoundCloud: @monkier
Twitter: @WhoIsMonkier