If you haven’t yet heard of the name Julian van der Krogt, or even the name, Jazz Night at the Aquarium, then don’t worry, because you’re about to take a deep dive with me into a musical abyss that is quite simply spectacular.

With a handful of EP’s to his name, this is his debut album.

To provide some context, Julian van der Krogt is first and foremost an abstract expressionist painter and self-taught musician from Wellington. It’s no wonder then that these two elements provide a pretty cool insight to the inner workings that is Julian’s mind. Although as reviewers we come across some pretty unique offerings, it’s safe to say Flush With Junk has to be top 5 for me in terms of true creativity that I can only describe as drawing way outside the lines, to the point of off the page completely.

And it’s brilliant.

If I were to package his sound into a genre for everyone to try and relate it to, I couldn’t and that’s okay. What I do hear however is a musician who has a very strong idea of not conforming to anything other than what he sees fit. Musically, It’s a jumble of organised chaos, distorted elements and sounds that otherwise wouldn’t fit, but do. At times I think I hear wisps of Bowie, but not Ziggy Stardust era or even Space Oddity, but 2016’s Blackstar. At times it’s haunting and surreal, but never dull in its delivery, and highly emotive. Elsewhere I feel there are Pink Floyd elements, but fleeting and nonchalant.

With tracks like Till I Break in Two, Gum on the Stars and Requiem Future, indeed it feels otherworldly.

It’s hard to pick favourites with such a plethora to choose from. I hate to use the phrase, there is something for everyone, because in this case I don’t believe Flush with Junk fits that mould for everyone. Personally, I feel the same in that I can’t choose just one song either, not because none resonate with me, it’s more about experiencing the whole journey from start to finish which seems more fitting.

If you are looking for something to open your mind and inspire something a little different, give Jazz Night at the Aquarium a solid listen. Flush with Junk may not change your life, but will certainly change your perspective on creativity.

• 1
  Villainy
• 2
  Coridian
• 3
  Written By Wolves
• 4
  Shihad
• 5
  Devilskin
• 6
  Head Like A Hole
• 7
  The Feelers
• 8
  Katchafire
• 9
  Skinny Hobos
• 10
  L.A.B.

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  Dimmer @ Powerstation, Auckland - 03/12/2023
• 
  Dimmer @ Old St. Paul's, Wellington - 01/12/2023
• 
  Oghum @ Old St. Paul's, Wellington - 01/12/2023

• 1
  LOVIN ON ME
  Jack Harlow
• 2
  WATER
  Tyla
• 3
  GREEDY
  Tate McRae
• 4
  AGORA HILLS
  Doja Cat
• 5
  PAINT THE TOWN RED
  Doja Cat
• 6
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 7
  BLUE EYED M?ORI
  Corrella
• 8
  STRANGERS
  Kenya Grace
• 9
  CONFIDENCE
  Ocean Alley
• 10
  CRUEL SUMMER
  Taylor Swift

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