Modern Jazz? opens with siren-like tones that cut straight into a driving rhythm. From the outset, the track feels direct and kinetic, with vocal snippets and synth lines adding a distinctly retro character. There is an early nod to 80s electronic experimentation, recalling the playful precision of acts like Art of Noise, while remaining firmly rooted in contemporary club music.
As the groove settles, the interplay between rhythm and melody becomes the focus. Prepared piano samples are treated rhythmically, competing with the drum pattern rather than sitting above it. This approach gives the track a restless feel, with melodic phrases emerging from percussive sources and vice versa. The result is tight, energetic and carefully produced, without losing its sense of humour.
Modern Jazz? is the final single taken from VAAGUE’s new EP SHORTCUT. The release continues the trajectory set by his recent album Oktopus Mekaniks, which helped establish his presence across underground clubs and festival stages. Where that album leaned into high-energy performance, this track sharpens the balance between experimentation and dancefloor impact.
The production process plays a central role in the sound. VAAGUE builds his rhythms from samples of his own acoustic drum kit, sequenced and reshaped inside the computer to form a virtual extension of his playing. Influences from UK garage, drum and bass and post-dubstep are evident, particularly in the groove-led structure and pacing.
VAAGUE is the solo project of Brussels-based drummer and producer Antoine Pierre, whose background in jazz informs the technical precision and rhythmic confidence heard throughout the track. Modern Jazz? captures this crossover point clearly, combining club-ready momentum with a playful approach to sound design that reflects both his improvisational roots and his electronic focus.
