Paroxysm

Released on 26 May 2023, Paroxysm finds Scrimshire at his most direct, turning personal and political unrest into something expansive and deeply felt. Written in a burst of creativity during the final weeks of October 2022, the album channels anger, grief and frustration into a set of compositions that refuse to sit still.

From the opening Permeate, there is a sense of motion. The album rarely settles, instead shifting between tightly controlled arrangements and moments that feel on the brink of collapse. Unity Gain captures this perfectly, building from restrained piano and drums into a dense surge of synthesiser and strings that mirrors the emotional volatility at the record’s core.

Collaboration is central to the album’s voice. Faye Houston brings a raw intimacy to Eyes Shut, while Flames, featuring Houston alongside Tamar Osborn, carries a lingering warmth shaped by loss. The presence of The Repeat Beat Poet on What Is The State Of Our State adds urgency, his two-part stream of thought cutting through with clarity and force.

There are moments where the album leans into space and reflection. Your Invasion Is A Lie, with Idris Rahman, unfolds as a cosmic jazz piece, gradually expanding its scope without losing focus. Elsewhere, Unforgotten, Unforgiven stands as one of the album’s most affecting tracks, its elegiac tone sharpened by Nat Birchall’s contribution and the weight of its dedication.

The closing sequence of Refuge, framed by interlude and outro, brings a sense of resolution without offering comfort. It feels considered rather than conclusive, as if the album is still searching for answers it knows may not come.

What makes Paroxysm compelling is its honesty. The title suggests sudden outbursts, but the record is far more measured than that. Its intensity is controlled, its production meticulous, and its message clear without ever becoming heavy-handed.

This is Scrimshire at his most expansive, both sonically and emotionally. A record that confronts its moment head-on, yet leaves enough space for the listener to sit with it long after it ends.