Jambinai is a band from South Korea – but they are about as far from K-POP as one can possibly get. There are no teen idols here – Jambinai is more of a post-rock band with some jazz and folk influences thrown in for good measure. The music Jambinai creates ranges from deep, melodic and introspective to noise-driven dissonance made with a fusion of instruments wailing notes that merge the sound of a bleating air horn with nails scraping down a chalkboard. In a good way.
The band was founded in Seoul, South Korea in 2009. They have released three full-length albums so far. Their best known song is probably Time of Extinction – the opening track from their first album which is titled Differance. The band famously performed the track during the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Seoul.
Part of what makes the band so unique and intriguing – beyond their fusion of eclectic music styles – is their heavy use of traditional Korean instruments alongside those more typically used in rock. The Haegeum is a combination of bow and two strings that creates high-pitched tones that wouldn’t be out of place in horror movies. The Geomungo is a dinging table-length and many stringed Korean version of a zither that is laid on a table or across the legs and while the strings are plucked, creating sounds similar to a plucked cello or stand-up bass. Both of these traditional Korean instruments play a prominent role in Jambinai’s music.
ONDA is the band’s third album and was released in 2019. The opening tracks – Sawtooth and Square Wave– encapsulate the ethos of the Jambinai very well, transitioning from a soft and melodic start into a clash of heavy drums and electric guitar. For me, the band is at its best when it creates a cacophony, with each member contributing to the beautiful noise.
I understand that this music is not for everyone, but I will take this thoughtful noise over K-POP or North American Pop music any day.
Cheers,
Evan
Bonus Content: JAMBINAI on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk (Home) Concert in 2021
Bonus Bonus Content: JAMBINAI – ONDA (Acoustic Version) – April 2022