James Krivchenia throws the kitchen sink at “The Science of Imaginary Solutions”

James Krivchenia, best known as the drummer of everyone's favorite indie-folk outfit Big Thief, lives a double life. As a solo artist, he makes chaotic sound collages that feel diametrically opposed to the quiet, thoughtful drumming on his band's latest record, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You. His 2020 debut solo LP, A New Found Relaxation, gave the world a peek at this dark-side Krivchenia, but on the first two singles from its recently announced follow-up, Blood Karaoke, Dr. Jeckyll leaves the building completely.

If the forthcoming project's lead single — "Emmissaries of Creation," shared early this month — breaks the seal on Pandora's box with a hammering hyperpop politic not unlike that of Chicago noise legend Fire-Toolz , today's track — "The Science of Imaginary Solutions" — is an amalgam of the world's ills sonified. A distorted brass orchestra becomes a subway car screeching to a halt, which in turn yields to a miasma of crowd noise, heavy metal drumming, and an insidious chiptune synth, all in the first 30 seconds or so. Listen below, but proceed with caution.