Ratsnake marks the arrival of Chloe Kim as a singular force in contemporary percussion. This Korean-Australian drummer and improviser, renowned for a boundary-pushing approach that merges jazz traditions with avant-garde experimentation, crafts her debut solo record as an immersive narrative—translating solitary discovery into universal resonance. Produced by Randall Dunn and released jointly by Kou Records and Ideologic Organ, the LP draws directly from Kim’s landmark first visit to New York City, a period that galvanized her commitment to forging a unique drumset language.

Across seven tracks, including “Birth Dream,” “Tail Dance,” and “Twilight Zone,” Kim’s performance radiates unflinching control yet remains open to accident and surprise. Embracing extended techniques and reimagining the drumset as a source of melodic and textural invention, she achieves a dialogue between raw kinetic energy and meditative space. The album’s sonic palette—amplified ride cymbal, muffled toms, tactile brushwork—maps the territory between jazz improvisation and abstract sound sculpture.

Kim’s innovations build on her acclaimed feats, including a 100-hour solo drumming performance, which earned global recognition for its relentless stamina and emotional range. Here, she distills years of solitary practice into concise forms that pulse with intensity and vulnerability. The tracks resist conventional phrasing, favoring emotional narrative and spontaneous development over repetition. Dunn’s production maintains fidelity to Kim’s live dynamic, ensuring every strike and resonance emerges with clarity and warmth.