SML – Spontaneous Music Live: I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a “jazz” group that better captures the nuanced movement of electronic DJ music. Josh Johnson’s sax lines evolve with such subtlety that I’d get lost in the mood and not even realize he was playing something completely different than he was 5 minutes before. I prefer Anna Butterss’ acoustic bass playing, but her electric lines fit the music perfectly. This is unlike anything I’ve heard before and it’s magnificent.
Mitski – Nothing’s About to Happen to Me: Mitski has reached new heights with this album’s instrumentation and arrangements, and the music adds an air of celebration behind lyrical themes that aren’t celebratory. Her words are wickedly sharp while staying open to interpretation. For example, “Dead Women” originally struck me as exploring a romantic relationship, but this week, I saw the song’s antagonist as the collective music industry, not just the business people who relentlessly suck an artist’s blood but also the fans who insist on turning an artist into what they want her to be.
Mouse on Mars & Lee “Scratch” Perry – Spatial, No Problem: Half of these tracks are just insane, in the best possible way. “State of Emergency” might be the best song on the record, but that disrespects “Economic Train” and “Spatialee” and “Fire Dali.” Does Perry sound like he’s peripheral to the whole thing? Yes, but the record wouldn’t work without his contributions. And unlike Pharoah Sanders’ sax on that Floating Points record a few years ago, Perry’s lackadaisical delivery somehow adds fire to these recordings.
Sharada Shashidhar – A Foot on the Ground: Shashidhar’s latest is interesting, and it might be good. My brain isn’t here right now, though. I’m struggling to hear the experimental nuances that reviewers are celebrating. Instead, I hear technical and intellectual skill with very little emotion, and it feels too much like dodgy soft jazz.
Old friends who made it into rotation this week: Nina Nastasia: Dogs; Sofia Kourtesis: Volver; HAAi: Baby, We’re Ascending; Turnstile: Never Enough; Led Zeppelin: IV; Queen: A Night at the Opera; Jessie Ware: That! Feels Good; Big Brave: A Chaos of Flowers; Neil Young: Everybody Knows this Is Nowhere