Kicking off a review of ‘Morir Saltando,’ the sophomore record from Chile-based outfit Hesse Kassel, isn’t the easiest job in the world, because ‘Morir Saltando’ isn’t the easiest album to digest: it’s like three or four regular releases all rolled up into one, taking the six-piece’s affinities for noise, jazz and post rock and smashing them together left and right. It’s a lot to take in, so let’s start simple— somewhere between the efforts of Black Country, New Road and Chat Pile, magic happens.

Hesse Kassel join the ranks of bands like black midi and Maruja as frontrunners in the realm of jazz-rock: their latest release might not seem so chaotic and adventurous to anyone who’s intimately familiar with the work being done in this scene, but even then, you can bet that ‘Morir Saltando’ will throw a few curveballs your way. You have to give Olivares and company credit for the cheer ambition on display here, right from their decision to open with fourteen-minute behemoth ‘Pornomiseria’— the project may be half the length of 2025’s ‘La Brea,’ but it’s no less massive. That all-consuming opener doesn’t so much introduce the various sounds and ideas the group will be toying with across the album as it does blindside you with them, but all the same, you can’t help but walk away with Hesse Kassel’s use of deafening distortion and slow-moving progressions rooted deeply in your mind.

‘Pornomiseria’ shows off a little bit of everything that ‘Morir Saltando’ has to offer, but it’s the extreme aggression (and even desperation) the band attack this cut with that shines brightest of all: the record’s opening is devoted to a churning, grinding collection of urgent screams and frantic instrumental displays, whipping itself up into a climax frightening enough to blow your speakers. Hesse Kassel prove themselves to be remarkable musicians across the project— Eduardo Padilla’s frenetic percussion is certainly a standout in this particular moment— but the confidence of their playing never conflicts with the out-and-out emotion that truly drives this music. If anything, it’s the record’s ridiculously overblown drum overtones (intentionally or no) that somewhat deflate their most intense moments, not that the absolutely crushing ‘Sancho Plagio’ seems to care.

Having said all that, this is still somehow a jazz-rock record: ‘Morir Saltando’ does speak to a band who still have some growing to do as composers, but also to one brimming with fresh and exciting ideas (and besides, the messiness of ‘El Reflejo’ is part of its charm). Bassist Matthew Hopper absolutely dominates this entire record, lending both the heaviest and the most serene moments of ‘Sancho Plagio’ a genuinely enthralling backbone to latch onto amongst the chaos— you can always count on the beauty of Joaquín González’s shimmering piano accompaniments, which weave their way around those distant guitar leads wonderfully. Whenever Hesse Kassel see fit to dial back on the intensity, their jazz-rock suites are able to transport you to some far-off wintery landscape. Believe us when we say these are some of the most ethereal soundscapes you’ll find all year.

If they’d wanted to, Olivares and company could have probably put together a soothing record enough to please jazz fans across the globe, but that was never their intention: they clearly want you to ‘die jumping,’ a testament to the youthful vigour that propels this album forward at every turn. Hesse Kassel’s music feels vulnerable, almost fragile— you can hear the band searching for, but never quite finding, that essential intensity on ‘Mariposa,’ which is only a lowlight by the incredible standards the group have set for themselves. The echoing outro on ‘Tulpa,’ gorgeous as it may be, doesn’t feel like it really closes the book, because nothing ever could. ‘Morir Saltando’ probably isn’t the single most progressive piece of work you’ll ever discover, but its creators have approached it as if it is: songs like ‘No Me Puedo Relajar’ and ‘El Reflejo’ are simply divine.

Hesse Kassel’s latest effort is a difficult one to really put your finger on, which might explain why this review was so difficult to write— suffice to say, the band have blown us away with this one. ‘Morir Saltando’ is bursting at the seams with energy and with passion, and it’s been channeled into a record as disturbing and grotesque as it is wondrous and uplifting. In amongst its blistering crescendos and its heartfelt musings, the album takes your breath away.