“Shall We Go On Sinning So That Grace May Increase? Delivers a Hypnotic and Healing Experience”

Matmos is a highly skilled duo known for their solo projects, such as the brilliant A Chance to Cut Is a Chance to Cure, as well as their production work on iconic Björk albums like Vespertine. One half of this duo, Drew Daniel, is exceptionally prolific. When he’s not busy inventing new viral music genres, he’s also releasing music under the name The Soft Pink Truth.

While Matmos often zeroes in on specific musical experiments—like using samples from medical procedures or crafting instruments from PVC tubing—The Soft Pink Truth allows Daniel to explore a wide range of musical styles. This could mean creating a house record, covering black metal tracks, or, as seen in Shall We Go On Sinning So That Grace May Increase?, producing a stunningly beautiful and hopeful reflection on the rise of global fascism.

Shall We Go On is a more nuanced album compared to Daniel’s earlier solo works. It swaps out the distortion and house beats for a sound that is more hypnotic and healing. Although it features heavily manipulated field recordings and samples reminiscent of Matmos, the overall texture leans towards a more organic and ambient feel.

The opening track, “Shall,” introduces unsettling dissonant drones, intricate soundscapes, and a vocal chant that flirts with the uncanny. This sets the tone as the album transitions into the minimal new-age rhythm of “We.” Here, a subdued four-on-the-floor kick supports clanking percussion, sweeping winds, ethereal female vocals, and a piano that plays hide and seek. The song gradually builds in intensity, reaching for the skies.

Following the laid-back dance vibe of “We,” “Go” begins with a call to prayer, leading into the oceanic ambiance of “On,” which features a haunting choir of vocals, glitchy piano, and delicately plucked synths.

These tracks serve as a buildup to what could be considered the album’s highlight, “Sinning.” Abstract saxophone bursts intertwine with bells and vibraphones, while a steady four-on-the-floor kick adds an undeniable groove.

The term “jam” is fitting here. Unlike previous Soft Pink Truth albums and much of Matmos’ work, Shall We Go On… relies heavily on live instrumentation and musicians collaborating in real time. While Do You Party? feels meticulously crafted, Shall We Go On… captures a sense of spontaneity, celebrating human creativity and the healing power of art.

“So” acts as a comedown after the euphoric “Sinning,” with saxophones guiding us into the latter half of the album, which flows seamlessly. A simple two-note drone recurs, serving as a foundation for other instruments to build upon, from the piano pedal that stabilizes the ambient chaos of “That” to the jazzy eruption of “Grace,” which sounds like a car alarm having a meltdown.

“May Increase” spends its four-plus minutes dismantling everything that “That” constructed, stripping away the chaos and noise until it concludes with a deep exhale.

The Soft Pink Truth’s Shall We Go On Sinning So That Grace May Increase? is available on Bandcamp and most major streaming platforms.