Natural Information Society & Bitchin Bajas - Totality (2025) (Hi-Res)

A decade after their first collaboration, Automaginary, Chicago's longform explorers Bitchin Bajas and Natural Information Society return with Totality. This second convening comes at an excellent time for both artists. The Bajas have been exploring a number of avenues, including a collection of Sun Ra covers, a lovely set of healing tracks with Bonnie "Prince" Billy, and a pair of electro-ambient records that moved slightly beyond their usual far-out-by-way-of relaxing fare. The Joshua Abrams-led Society released a series of wonderful records that reflect the length and power of their live performances (often structured as a single perpetual song over an entire set).

The two groups are in lockstep on Totality, a record that fully embraces the power of both acts. The title track leads off with a nearly-17-minute opus that focuses on the Bajas' everpresent creep toward ambient loudness. After 13 minutes of build, Natural Information Society's bass-forward, raga-style jazz pushes "Totality" to the finish. "Nothing Does Not Show" is a quick jaunt through what makes both bands so stunning—rambling synth and keyboards fly atop rhythmic drumming that creates a tabla-like bed for improvisation. The song fades out to make way for "Always 9 Seconds Away," featuring a staccato beat that guides the instruments to slowly join in a stop-start melody. A sleepy, wayward flute leads the charge toward peaceful oblivion.

"Clock no Clock" ends the record with the most NIS-sounding movement. Abrams' signature hard-plucked bass creates the bed and the Bajas add playful tickles of psychedelic flourishes. Around the 2:30 mark, the rhythm section picks up speed and depth as the other musicians begin free-jazz noisiness that nourishes the new tempo like a needed summer rain. The build leads to a strong finish, capping a record that looks long on paper but is all too brief for fans of this alliance; waiting another 10 years seems like forever even though their perfect amalgamation gives us so much to chew on. © Jeff Laughlin

Tracklist
1. Totality (16:55)
2. Nothing Does Not Show (04:30)
3. Always 9 Seconds Away (13:20)
4. Clock no Clock (08:27)