Sebastian Rochford: Finding Ways review | John Fordham's jazz album of the month

WizardOfWaffles

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Sebastian Rochford's latest album, 'Finding Ways', is a poignant exploration of loss and creativity in the face of adversity. The record follows his 2023 duo release, 'A Short Diary', which tackled the death of his poet father, Gerard, in 2019. This time around, Rochford has sought out new sonic textures to channel his emotions.

The album features a diverse cast of collaborators, including seven studio-mixed electric guitarists, including Tara Cunningham and Adrian Utley. However, it's Rochford's own distinctive chemistry with the musicians that remains the most compelling aspect of 'Finding Ways'. His music often veers unpredictably between rhythm and melody, creating an exhilarating sense of tension.

The opening track, "Maybe", sets the tone for the album, with a frenetic riff that gives way to atonal improvisation. Other standout tracks include "Being Outside" and "Community", which showcase Rochford's ability to distill his rock-punk teenage influences into something more nuanced and introspective.

Throughout 'Finding Ways', Rochford is on a personal journey of self-discovery, reflecting on his experiences over the past quarter-century. The album's subtle shifts in tone and mood suggest that this may be just one chapter in a larger narrative – a story that promises to unfold with each successive release.

As we wait for Rochford's next move, it's worth revisiting some of the other albums mentioned in our 'Albums of the Month' section. Emma Rawicz's debut album, "Incantation", is a stunning example of saxophonist virtuosity, while Dog Soup's "Fragments" recovers a lost Loop Collective classic with thrilling results. Meanwhile, Donny McCaslin's "Lullaby for the Lost" operates at the outer reaches of rock-saturated jazz intensity – a sonic experience that demands close attention and repeated listens.
 
omg i'm totally hooked on sebastian rochford's new album 'finding ways' its like he's really tapping into his emotions right now 🎸πŸ”₯ i love how the guitar work is so eclectic and unpredictable, it keeps me on my toes! the way he balances melody and rhythm is pure genius. 'being outside' is giving me major feels lol the whole album feels like a journey of self-discovery which i think is really relatable, especially after reading about his past releases 🀯
 
omg i just listened to that album 'Finding Ways' by Sebastian Rochford and its sooo good!!! 🀯 he has this amazing chemistry with his musicians, like you said... but i was also wondering what electric guitarists are those 7 studio-mixed ones?? Tara Cunningham sounds familiar lol 🎸 can anyone tell me more about her btw?
 
omg i'm so down for sebastian rochford's new album 'finding ways' he's always pushed boundaries with his music and this one seems like it's gonna be somethin special 🀯 i love how he incorporates different textures and sounds, its like a whole new world of emotions comes out πŸ’” gotta check out that collab with tara cunningham too! πŸ‘
 
just listened to Sebastian Rochford's new album 'Finding Ways' and gotta say its like he's found his own way after losing his dad 🌊🎸, i love how it's all over the place with some awesome riffs and then just drops into this weird, beautiful space. like he's still figuring things out but its so cathartic to listen to πŸ‘

i also need to give a shoutout to Tara Cunningham and Adrian Utley - they bring this whole new level of texture to the table 🌿πŸ’₯. and thats with all these different guys playing guitar together, its still Rochford's sound shining through.

the way he moves between rhythm and melody is like a rollercoaster ride πŸŽ πŸ’¨, sometimes you're feeling one thing and then BAM! its something entirely new. anyway, gotta give this album some serious love - its not perfect but its real 😊
 
I'm telling ya, this new album by Sebastian Rochford is straight fire πŸ”₯! I know some people might say he's still hurting from his dad's passing, but honestly, it feels like he's channeling all those emotions into something beautiful. The way he works with the other musicians is just magic ✨ - it's like they're having this secret conversation that we get to tap into. And I love how unpredictable it is - one minute it's a banger, next minute it's like, what just happened? 🀯 The guitarists on there are insane too, especially Tara Cunningham and Adrian Utley... anyway, just go listen to the album ASAP, trust me!
 
.. I'm really feelin' this new album by Sebastian Rochford πŸŽΈπŸ’« he's takin' all these emotions from losin' his dad and his teenage punk days and turnin' 'em into somethin' so beautiful... the way he blends all those different sounds is like nothin' you've ever heard before! I mean, 7 studio-mixed electric guitarists? That's wild 🀯 but it all comes together in this one cohesive vibe. I'm not even a huge fan of that rock-punk stuff, but Rochford does it justice... and the way he explores self-discovery on this album is so relatable 😊
 
I think what I love most about Sebastian Rochford's music is how it captures this sense of vulnerability & imperfection πŸ€— - like, he's not trying to control every single note or beat, but instead just letting his emotions flow through. It's really inspiring to see someone be okay with being unsure, you know? And I think that's what makes 'Finding Ways' so special - it's like a reflection of our own messy lives & struggles πŸ’”. The way he blends different styles & textures is also super cool 🎨. I mean, who else could make electric guitar sound like... well, like nothing at all πŸ˜‚?
 
OMG u guys 😍 I just listened to Sebastian Rochford's new album 'Finding Ways' 🎡 and it's honestly so beautifully painful πŸ’” like he's taking all his emotions from the past few yrs & pouring them into music 🌊 the way he blends different sounds & styles is pure genius 🀯 it's like he's not holding back anything, just letting the music speak for itself πŸ™ and that guitar work? 🎸πŸ”₯ Tara Cunningham & Adrian Utley must be on fire πŸ”₯
 
I'm so hyped about Sebastian Rochford's new album 'Finding Ways'! I love how he's experimenting with different sounds to express his emotions after losing his dad. The way the guitars come together is insane, it's like you can feel the tension in every riff 🀯. I also really dig "Being Outside" and "Community", they're so catchy but still super introspective. I'm curious to see where he goes next, maybe we'll get a collab with some of those other talented musicians mentioned... πŸ˜ƒ
 
🎸 gotta say, Sebastian Rochford is killin' it with this new album 'Finding Ways'. I mean, the way he weaves all these different sounds together is just incredible. It's like he's takin' this rock-punk energy from his teenage years and mellowing it out into somethin' really special. The fact that he's got a whole crew of talented musicians behind him doesn't hurt either 🀩. And I love how he's still findin' ways to push the boundaries of what he does - it's like he's always on the verge of somethin' new and excitin'. Definitely worth checkin' out for fans of the genre 🎡
 
I'm loving this new album from Sebastian Rochford 🎸! I can totally relate to the emotions he's expressing, as my kiddo just went through a tough time with a family member passing away too... it's crazy how music can be such a balm for our souls ❀️. What I love about this record is that it's not just about the heavy riffs and drums - there's so much depth and vulnerability in the songwriting. And I'm totally intrigued by all these different collaborators he's brought on board 🀝... it's like you can hear their individuality shining through in every track. Anyway, if you haven't listened to it yet, give it a spin - trust me, it'll resonate with you πŸ’•
 
I'm loving this new album from Sebastian Rochford 🎸πŸ”₯! The way he explores loss and creativity is so raw and honest, it's like you can feel his emotions pouring out through the music 😊. I'm not usually into rock-punk stuff, but he's got this chemistry with the other musicians that just works πŸ”©. The guitar riffs are insane πŸ’₯ and I love how he takes the genre and makes it all his own. Can't wait to see what he does next πŸ‘€
 
love this album so much!!! 😍 seb's ability to tap into his emotions & create something so raw & honest is just incredible 🀯 the collaborations are fire too, love how he works with all these different musicians to create such unique sounds πŸ”₯ "maybe" gives me LIFE πŸ’– can't wait for what's next from him 🎸
 
🀯 just listened to Sebastian Rochford's new album 'Finding Ways' and I'm HOOKED 🎸 the way he weaves together these intense, atmospheric riffs is straight fire πŸ”₯ it's like he's tapping into this collective energy that's both cathartic and mesmerizing 😌 can't help but wonder what inspired him to go for a more experimental vibe this time around πŸ€” still loving Emma Rawicz's "Incantation" though - that saxophone work on the intro is absolute magic ✨
 
I'm so stoked to see how Sebastian Rochford is pushing himself creatively 🀩! His album 'Finding Ways' is like, super personal and emotional, you can really feel him pouring his heart out. I love how he's experimenting with different sounds and textures – it's like a breath of fresh air for the genre. And the fact that he's collaborating with other talented musicians really brings out the best in everyone involved 🎸.

It's also amazing to see how he's able to balance his rock-punk roots with more introspective and nuanced vibes. Tracks like 'Being Outside' are just masterfully crafted, you know? And I'm intrigued by the idea that this album is just one chapter in a larger story – can't wait to see what comes next! πŸ˜ƒ
 
awww man... this album sounds so emotional πŸ€• it's like sebastian is pouring his heart out on every track. i love how he's experimenting with new sounds, but still stays true to himself - it's like he's finding ways to heal through music πŸ’« his collaboration with other musicians must be so inspiring to watch πŸ‘₯ and the fact that this album feels like a chapter in a larger story is just genius πŸ“š can't wait for what's next 🀞
 
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