Mxmrys (pronounced “Memories”) is a Chicago-based quartet, who are about to release their first EP, Black Void Theory, in March. The ensemble consists of Josh Ross on drums, Elijah Bradford on guitar, Kurt Shelby on bass, and Christian Swan on Hammond Organ and Rhodes. Mxmrys is a jazz quartet that experiments with ideas and techniques to create their very own sound, and this is evident from this EP.

“Brother’s Keeper” is the second track from the EP, releasing tomorrow, delves into the relational bonds that tie us to each other and, by extension, to our collective human experience.

Brother’s Keeper opens with the main motif of this track, played by guitarist Elijah Bradford. This catchy melody, accompanied by Christian Swan’s chordal playing, lays out the harmony of the piece and creates an atmosphere of eternal longing. With a captivating tone, the bassist Kurt Shelby plays a counter melody that takes an approach to the motif. Josh Ross, the drummer, soon joins the others and enters the scene with a banger groove, which lays the foundation of the track.

The song then starts to exhibit how well-versed the members are with their own instruments and the playing styles of others. Brother’s Keeper can be considered a textbook example of what a quartet that matches and accentuates the energy of each member can put forward. As the song progresses, the whole soundscape starts brimming with artistic nuances. We get to witness the fast ghost notes on drums, perfectly played sustained notes on the bass, magnificent embellishments on the guitar motif, and swelling vibrato of the hauntingly mesmerising organ.

In the bridge section, the listeners are treated with dreamy cascading arpeggios and ethereal guitar lines. The track ends with another melody played on keys along with the main motif and accompaninent that fades gradually.