Hopeful Music for Hopeless People by The Scornful Four is a masterclass in raw, unfiltered intimacy. Born from the vibrant energy of the landmark Jazz in Meanjin series, this brilliant studio album captures the fire of live performance and bottles it into a physical release that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. Recorded in a single, breathless three-hour session using just four condenser microphones in one room, the album strips away the over-produced clutter of modern recordings to deliver an honest, immediate dialogue between four exceptional musicians.
The music itself occupies a beautiful, liminal space. It is not energetic to the point of exhaustion, yet it never dips into low spirits; it is neither fast nor slow. This is not passive meditation or “slushing” background music, but rather a vessel of positive calmness; the kind of music that coaxes you to slow down to a normal pace of life and gently coaxes a smile onto your face.
Navigating the Human Experience
The album moves like a quiet conversation, exploring the corners of human existence, from the warmth of loved ones to the bittersweet farewells of our elders.
- “Sun Drenched Son” The journey begins with the resonant wood of the double bass and the breathy warmth of the sax. After introducing the main theme, the bass stretches out into a long, engaging solo, cushioned perfectly by a subtle percussion bed. As the brass weaves back into the theme, the sax and trumpet step forward. Their improvisations climb through diatonic scales, peppered with occasional chromatics and augmented seconds that lend a gorgeous, slightly Eastern-tinged mystique to the air.
- “One Day You Will Know” Even softer, more laid back, and infinitely inviting, the album’s longest track adopts a sophisticated lounge aesthetic. Its smooth, soothing theme avoids sudden melodic leaps or jarring harmonic shifts. Instead, it relies on a steady, comforting rhythm. There is a palpable sense of joy and optimism here, driven by subtle, upward melodic progressions that feel like a morning flower opening up to the light.
- “Birthday Goodbyes” A poignant tribute to the passing of dearly beloved elders, this track is a soft and smooth piece of sonic poetry. It features another magnificent, resonant double bass solo that carries the weight of memory with grace and tenderness.
- “For Tea” Built around a charming, ostinato-style motif, this upbeat track celebrates life’s simple comforts. The motif is first established by the sax before drifting into the middle layer, leaving ample space for the trumpet to paint bright, improvisational brushstrokes. The recurring motif keeps the track beautifully coherent through all its playful variations.
- “Like an Angel” This piece breaks the mold with a complex, scattered percussive pattern. Saxophone motifs soon join the rhythm, developing into a full melody overflowing with positivity. Driven by a fast-paced bass figure and tight percussion, the piece never feels rushed; instead, it feels controlled and vibrant, anchored by the long, soaring notes held masterfully across the melody line.
- “Hymn for the Light” The official closing track is a soft, dreamy reverie. It invites the listener to completely relax, melt into the cushions, and bask in the fading glow of a truly beautiful session.
- “jazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz” (Bonus Track) A cheeky, 31-second jingle-style exclamation mark. With percussion and brass playing a sudden, bright theme that cuts off in an instant, it’s a delightful reminder not to take life too seriously.
Finding Sanctuary in Hopeful Music for Hopeless People by The Scornful Four
“The album is imbued with an honesty and immediacy of communication and expression that is rarely heard, even on jazz records.”
In a world blighted by chaotic headlines and hopeless leadership, this record acts as a much-needed sanctuary. By focusing on the small, beautiful constants of life, parental wisdom, a warm cup of tea, the memory of those who came before us, the band has created something genuinely therapeutic.
For audiophiles and casual listeners alike, the upcoming limited-edition vinyl run dropping in local record stores this July is a must-have. To drop the needle on Hopeful Music for Hopeless People by The Scornful Four is to step into the room with the band, pull up a chair, and remember what it feels like to breathe.
Credits:
Andrew Garton – alto saxophone, composition
Sharon Elaine – trumpet
Helen Russell – upright bass
Aaron Jansz – drums
Recorded at Alchemix Studios
Engineered and Mastered by Andrew Garton
Art by Ellena Ramsay
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