Is Ipsissimus a good place to start with John Zorn?

Yes, Ipsissimus is recommended as a starting point for new John Zorn listeners. A labyrinthine blend of avant-garde jazz and mysticism intertwines with intricate compositions and improvisational flair. By the release of Ipsissimus in 2010, John Zorn had established himself as a prolific figure in avant-garde music, known for his innovative projects. This album followed the ambitious double album, The Gnostic Preludes (2009), which explored similar themes of mysticism and spirituality through experimental jazz. Ipsissimus continued to push boundaries, showcasing Zorn's unique ability to fuse complex structures with improvisation.

Who is Ipsissimus for?

Ipsissimus works well if you're into dynamic exploration of soundscapes, wave-like pacing with resolution and intricate layers for deep focus.

How many songs are on Ipsissimus?

Ipsissimus has 9 tracks, running approximately 49 minutes.

Ipsissimus

John Zorn · 2010

49 min · 9 tracks · avant-garde jazz

A labyrinthine blend of avant-garde jazz and mysticism intertwines with intricate compositions and improvisational flair.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Seven Sigils Start here — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting melodies and intricate layers, immersing listeners into a mystical sound world that defines the record.
→
The Book of Los — This track exemplifies Zorn's blend of structured composition and improvisation, featuring rich textures that evoke a sense of narrative progression and exploration.
→
Supplicant — With its intense dynamics and emotional depth, this piece showcases Zorn's skill in conveying complex feelings through abstract musical language.
→
Apparitions II — This track stands out with its ethereal quality, creating an immersive atmosphere that reflects the album's overarching themes of mysticism and transformation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

Ipsissimus showcases intricate compositions and improvisational flair, making it a standout in avant-garde jazz.

What we noticed

Each piece often blends structured composition with sections of free improvisation, allowing for spontaneous interaction among musicians.
Several tracks incorporate thematic motifs that recur in varied forms, enhancing the album's conceptual depth related to mysticism.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic exploration of soundscapes
wave-like pacing with resolution
intricate layers for deep focus
esoteric themes for curious minds

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Ipsissimus showcases Zorn's ambitious sonic explorations and thematic depth.
Career context: By the release of Ipsissimus in 2010, John Zorn had established himself as a prolific figure in avant-garde music, known for his innovative projects. This album followed the ambitious double album, The Gnostic Preludes (2009), which explored similar themes of mysticism and spirituality through experimental jazz. Ipsissimus continued to push boundaries, showcasing Zorn's unique ability to fuse complex structures with improvisation.
Stylistic neighbors: Mike Patton· The Thing· Merzbow