A hard-hitting hurricane of saxophone, synths, and rhythm, the transatlantic trio Last Scene Alive sees Amsterdam-based saxophonist Graham Robertson (Odd Circus) and Washington, DC-based synth player Zack Be (ex-Pretty Bitter) collaborating for the band’s debut album, World Class Pep Talk.
Aided by the forceful contributions of drummer Sean Sidley (Jack Waugh, The Economy, Dissenters), the band occupies a space where the bizarre meets the accessible: math rock anthems, jazz fusion breakbeats, punk-attitude prog, and synth rock club bangers seamlessly coalescing under one umbrella.
At a crucial time for the trending “alternative jazz” movement, this trio emerges poised to plant a flag. When you’ve exhausted the alternatives, you go to the Last Scene Alive.
"Best thing I've heard this year so far."
-Dom Lawson (Prog Magazine)
World Class Pep Talk – Qobuz Editor's Pick for March 2026.
World Class Pep Talk – Chaotic Good Jazz Best Albums of March 2026.
"One fun modern prog jazz banger follows the next."
-The Prog Space
"Whimsical” … "Forward-thinking" ... "The sounds blend together to create a fun, relentlessly optimistic celebration of musicianship and, well, superhero-like abilities.”
-Everything Is Noise
"A sound that eludes easy labels." ... "Last Scene Alive is not here merely to participate in the conversation, but to shake it up violently."
-Cuartel del Metal
"An aggressive blend of math rock, jazz fusion, and synth rock with madcap fervor."
-Inkwell
"A wildly exciting jazz fusion debut." ... "Nine exceptional tracks, running the gamut of genre-representation, while seemingly somehow still being classifiable as jazz."
-Bill's Takes
"I couldn't get enough of this album. A roller coaster of sounds. A really wonderful debut."
-Jace Media Music
"Alternative jazz adds a new protagonist.”
-WikiRock
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