Vol. #235: Jade Ring - “Pills”
Rustbelt Rock Review
By: Z.M. Delgado
Rustbeltrockreview.com
Volume #235: Jade Ring - “Pills”
Release Date: March 15th 2026
Hello my friends. Welcome to RbRR for another round of my rambling nonsense. This week I have a different sort of album for you. It was sent to me by a mysterious musician, known only as Jade Ring. I first encountered this individual when he was acting in the capacity of DJ for Jotunn Winternights. This nameless entertainer performed his duties while sporting a balaclava to ensure his anonymity. I was later contacted by Jade Ring, who in turn sent me a copy of the album “Pills.” So who is Jade Ring? Well, here’s the description I received in the press release which accompanied the album: “Anonymous Cleveland rock musician turned avant-garde, multi-instrumentalist composer.” Pretty mysterious, am I right? So this musician wants to stay in the shadows so to speak. Ok, I can respect that. Instead, let’s let the music do the talking. Well that, my friend, is where things get interesting. Without saying too much, let me just tell you this, “Pills” is an album unlike any I have ever reviewed. Without further adieu, let’s throw this on the platter and hear what shakes out.
Jade Ring
It opens with a track entitled “Renaissance” where a bizarre message plays out. It largely features a women with a British Accent introducing herself and the album. She encourages you to enjoy the record, perhaps under the influence of a mind altering substance. There is a bit about the evils of AI, and a portion that is spoken in a language that I believe to be French. The whole intro is just under three minutes in length and it soon gives way to the real show.
“Brash” is our albums first musical offering. It begins with some horns and a creepy choir of voices before the Drums and Bass drop in. What transpires from here is an explosion of sounds that I can only describe as something akin to Industrial. Sampled dialogue followed by some absolutely nasty Vocals create a hard edged soundscape. Initially it is extremely danceable, yet heavy enough to bang your head to. Then the song takes a turn as the clean vocals move in adding yet another layer to the ever evolving song. At nearly eight and a half minutes in length it is an ambitious effort. This song is full of changes and textures which is important, considering it’s expansive length. Fortunately it’s composer knew exactly what was necessary top keep the song from ever getting boring. It is full of twists and turns that ensure the listener is engaged at all times.
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Flowing into our next track, “Coral,” the album continues along it’s winding path. Drug fueled samples start things off followed immediately by more of those heavy distorted Vocals. Then comes in the grooving sounds as another seemingly feel good dance track unfolds. Of course that is just the surface… and this is anything but feel good music. The lyrics are deep and dark, and light years beyond what one would normally expect in some sort of club hit. Jade Ring is so much more than that. The artist proved that already on “Brash” yet continues to hammer home the point on “Coral.” More complexity it style and structure unfolds as yet another highly interesting composition plays out. Here you get that same Industrial basis to the sound but there are tastes of Jazz, Rock and Pop as well. At six and a quarter minutes long this song is another sonic journey well worth taking.
The third piece in the “Pills” saga is “Ghost Machine.” This is yet another part of a larger picture; the final chapter in the trilogy. The rhythms are still there, yet this is a far less dance worthy track then it’s album mates. This is the shortest and the darkest song in the collection. The lyrics and sampled dialogue are eerie. Less tongue in cheek and more bleak, “Ghost Machine” examines what it means to be human in a dying age.
The album closes out with “The Bitter End,” and with the return of our British narrator. She gives us some parting words, including another message in French. With a soft melody the record then quickly comes to a close.
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So, ultimately what do I think of Jade Ring – “Pills?” Well, that is a tough one. It is a complex album, which gives way to complex thoughts. I’ll admit I didn’t know what to make of it on my first spin. I mean, there is a lot going on here, and with no context, I was quite literally surprised at every turn. On subsequent plays, and this is definitely an album that demands them, I came to understand what it was I was listening to. As I said early on, this is what I would classify as Industrial. It reminds me of the stuff I used to Rock back in the 90’s, bands like KMFDM, Pigface and Skinny Puppy. You take that sort of stuff and add in a modern EDM sort of vibe, sprinkle in some Jazz, Blues, Rock add a Pop influence... and well you’ll be in the vicinity of Jade Ring’s sound. But this album is really too much of “its’ own thing” to be described like this by the likes of me. It really needs to be heard, or better yet, it needs to be experienced. It’s not what I usually review. It’s not what I normally listen to. With that being said, this is some of the most interesting music that I have ever had the pleasure of picking apart. It is wildly unique and deeply personal. The message behind the sound is the real story here though. This is an examination of a failing society through the lens of American pharmacopoeia. This is a composer's personal journey, navigating a dystopian nightmare, one prescription at a time. In short, I think this album just might be a work of sheer brilliance. So there you have it. What is undoubtedly an inadequate examination of a very interesting piece of music. If you are a fan of Industrial Music, really eclectic stuff or if you’re simply looking for something that is utterly different from anything else going on in our Scene, then give Jade Ring – “Pills” a listen today.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Rustbeltrockreview.com
03/29/2026
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