Against All Logic: The Dancefloor Alias of Nicolas Jaar

Against All Logic is the dance-oriented alias of acclaimed Chilean-American electronic producer and composer Nicolas Jaar. The project, originating from New York, gained significant underground and critical acclaim with its 2018 debut album 2012 - 2017, a collection of raw, sample-heavy house and techno tracks.

Early career

Against All Logic emerged not as a new artist, but as a distinct creative channel for Nicolas Jaar. Jaar, already known for his atmospheric and experimental solo work on labels like Other People and Circus Company, launched the alias to explore a more direct, rhythm-focused sound. The project's first physical release was the 2017 12" single Cityfade / Now U Got Me Hooked on the influential UK label Other People.

Breakthrough

The breakthrough moment arrived in February 2018 with the surprise digital release of the compilation album 2012 - 2017 via Other People. The album compiled previously unreleased tracks Jaar had crafted over that five-year period, showcasing a gritty, analog-inspired sound that contrasted with his other work. It received widespread praise from publications like Pitchfork and Resident Advisor, solidifying the alias's reputation for potent club music.

Key tracks

Now U Got Me Hooked — This early single set the tone with its driving bassline and chopped vocal sample, becoming an instant favorite in DJ sets.

I Never Dream — Featuring the vocals of Lydia Lunch, this track exemplifies the project's fusion of industrial noise, punk attitude, and relentless dancefloor energy.

Such A Bad Way — A standout for its soulful, manipulated vocal loop and deep, rolling groove, it highlights Jaar's skill in recontextualizing samples.

You Are Going To Love Me And Scream — This frenetic cut builds layers of percussion and dissonant synth lines into a peak-time techno storm.

Cityfade — The B-side to the first single offers a more melancholic, atmospheric take on the project's house music foundations.

The project's second album, 2017 - 2019, arrived in 2020, further expanding the sonic palette with elements of funk, disco, and even hints of rave. This release continued Jaar's exploration of rhythm and texture under the Against All Logic banner, maintaining a focus on physicality and sampledelia while incorporating more live instrumentation.

Fans of the dense, sample-based house of Against All Logic may also appreciate the work of Avalon Emerson, whose productions blend melodic techno with intricate, emotional depth. The raw, analog textures can be found in the music of DJ Python, known for his deep reggaeton-inflected loops. For a different approach to house music abstraction, explore Leon Vynehall and his richly detailed compositions. The genre-defying spirit is also shared by Four Tet, a master of weaving eclectic samples into cohesive dance music.

The propulsive tracks from Against All Logic are a natural fit for rotation on electronic and independent music radio stations. Specialist shows focusing on house, techno, and experimental dance music frequently feature cuts from both 2012 - 2017 and 2017 - 2019, celebrating the project's ability to bridge raw club energy with sophisticated production.

Listeners can discover the dynamic range of Against All Logic's catalog, from jacking house to atmospheric techno, through dedicated electronic music stations featured on onairium.com. Tune in to hear how Nicolas Jaar's alias continues to influence the sound of contemporary dancefloors.