released: february 6th, 2026

genre: jazz / ambient

from: wisconsin, usa

label: totally gross national product

a few thoughts: percussionist and composer joe westerlund and trumpeter trever hagan have released a gorgeous, meditative 4-track album titled grotto. with slow, gloomy and ambient soundscapes, the duo create this immersive, grandiose moments, with building and growing synth and percussion-led rhythms that sound utterly mesmerising from start to finish. “wrapped in plastic” has this overwhelming composition, with swelling synths and an utterly mesmerizing trumpet composition that creates a hypnotic, moody and reflective energy. the jittery electronica of “stein fields” is fantastic too, with rumbling bass-heavy synth leads and intricate drum patterns, making it a really engaging moment on the album. the meandering composition of “liberation bells”, with its stunning keys and immersive trumpet melodies is so incredibly beautiful, while the haunting closer of “the reel” is just transcendental from start to finish. grotto is a powerful, reflective and stunning album from start to finish, as both joe and trever capture this intensely dreamy and otherwoldly listening experience.

the album: