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KUALA LUMPUR – Weeks after releasing their latest single 'Not My Fault' with an accompanying music video, Shah Alam-based rock duo Jaggfuzzbeats said they are eyeing the launch of a new EP within the first quarter of this year.
The yet-to-be-named record comes four years after the band debuted with their album ‘Rest Now’, which dropped in 2017 and contains eight meticulously crafted “college rock” tracks.
Comprising Azrul Zainal, who fronts the duo on guitar and vocals, as well as drummer Omar Aiman, the band told The Vibes that Jaggfuzzbeats was looking to release the brand-new EP shortly after launching another new music video in February.
“Shariman Shuhaime who was the engineer on our last album ‘Rest Now’ will be reprising his role on this EP,” Azrul told The Vibes recently.
While the name of the EP and the number of songs are yet to be revealed, it is understood that the latest release would be made up of five or six songs.
Like the band’s album, Azrul said the new EP was recorded in Melodiya Recordings, a recording studio based in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya. But, this time around there are mixes of recordings from home as well, he said.
Formed in 2014, the band established itself when they debuted with their first single 'Hours' on a music streaming platform in 2014. The track paved the way for other singles, including 'Wasted Night', 'Talk to You', and 'Damncoldurban'.
A local magazine noted that 'Rest Now' bears "all the hallmarks of the band; Azrul's country drawl and twang, infectious guitar licks, and vague albeit heart-firmly-on-the-sleeve lyrics."
The term Jaggfuzzbeats has also been described as a portmanteau of the three elements that make up the band's sound. 'Jagg' alludes to the iconic Fender Jaguar guitar model used by Azrul, while 'Fuzz' notes the usage of Fuzz distortion guitar pedals, and 'beats' refers to the rhythm aspect of the band.
In 2019, the band also returned with their singles 'In Time' and 'Fade', ahead of a planned sophomore album. But, late last year, the idea for a second full-length release was scrapped, owing to personal commitments and the vast inconveniences brought by the year-long pandemic.
Directed by Irfan Aljuffry, the music video for ‘Not My Fault’ which was released on December 22, last year, shows the band roving around in a classic car and jamming to the song.
“He (Irfan) wanted to capture us escaping our reality and the shoot took us three days,” Azrul explained on the video.
“We took our time to release the music video because we were taking a short break and figured it would be something nice to end the year with.”
On the pensive nature of the track, Azrul quipped that he wrote ‘Not My Fault’ after going through some “heavy stuff”. “It was mainly about missing out on opportunities and taking things for granted. Personally, it’s like I’m singing to myself.”
As mentioned, the band has also been described as a “college rock” band that carries elements of American indie rock that is a throwback to the late ‘90s and early 2000s, a soundscape which Azrul said, “fits for most parts”.
“But, we do have plans of shaking it up in the future.” If one were to seek the band’s current influences, Azrul said they include White Reaper, The Growlers, Marika Hackman, and Sheer Mag, among others. On the band’s plans for 2021, and whether they felt they would see a return to live shows, or hosting virtual gigs, Azrul noted that Jaggfuzzbeats was looking forward to doing some performances this year.
“I would love to get back on stage! God knows how much we miss it,” Azrul said. “If things get better (after the pandemic), hopefully, we’ll be able to see that again soon. We would be up for virtual gigs. (And) might even cook up something ourselves.
Check out the music video for 'Not My Fault' here. – The Vibes, January 10, 2021
