Drops

With Drops, bassist and composer Ingebrigt Håker Flaten leads his powerhouse ensemble (Exit) Knarr into new terrain—using graphic scores as a springboard for improvisation and sonic exploration. It’s the third studio release from the group and perhaps its most personal statement yet.

Drawing on influences from Wassily Kandinsky to Hilma af Klint, as well as musical pioneers like Anthony Braxton and Mats Gustafsson, Håker Flaten blends visual art, free jazz, mythology, and electronic music into a unified whole. The band uses electronic tools both live and in the studio—not only to enhance the sound but to expand the textures and moods, reflecting Håker Flaten’s inspiration from the possibilities of electronic music.

The band—featuring Amalie Dahl (alto), Karl Hjalmar Nyberg (tenor, electronics), Marta Warelis (piano, electronics), Jonathan F. Horne (guitar), Olaf Olsen (drums), and Håker Flaten himself—brings a rare intensity and cohesion after several years of touring and growth. On the opening track, “Deluge,” an electrifying live-in-studio reimagining of Wayne Shorter’s JuJu classic, they’re joined by Mette Rasmussen and Veslemøy Narvesen for a bold, extended lineup.

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