OTOOTO (Japanese for sound sound) is the newest branch of Danish indie jazz. Formed in 2019, by Jonas Due (trumpet) and Oilly Wallace (sax) as a melting pot of 5 rising stars, the group quickly gained attention from broadcasting stations and reviewers. The sound of OTOOTO, is defined by featherlight and lyrical melodies paired with characteristic sound of the vintage Juno 106 synth. Add to that a neosoul/R&B groove and 'voila'. OTOOTO's new album, 2nd Quake, represents a tipping point in the band's sonic development. The album was created in collaboration with the widely acclaimed sound artist Sofie Birch, who contributed to its ambient qualities and overall sonic identity. The album is a manifestation of OTOOTO's tireless quest for new forms of expression and stylistic breadth. However, it's clear that there's something bolder and more rounded in the cohesive expression of this record. The album consists of eight compositions that are beautifully unfolded and meticulously crafted, partly thanks to Birch's magical touch in the studio. Five of the tracks, in true OTOOTO fashion, are rooted in elegant melodic progressions, where the two horns or a subtle synth lure the listener into a densely woven forest of rhythms, pads, and playful samples. The remaining three tracks function as more abstract musical journeys with vastly different characters, like musical meditations on various themes. 2nd quake is their most euphonious endeavour to date, emphasising the backbone of the Nordic cultural canon - melody.
