Track Review: Mouse on the Keys – Unflexible Grids

“Unflexible Grids” is largely centered around a jarring 5/4 piano repetition, repeating like a mechanical loop.  Where the song gets interesting is when the drums and bass lay down a heavy groove in 4/4 time.  The overlapping time signatures create wild patterns between the instruments, giving the song a disorienting and hypnotic texture.  The composition of the song is very cerebral, but the performance is physical and groove oriented.  Like the best jazz artists, Mouse on the Keys have an extraordinary amount of skill, and they make what they do look easy.