Many Roads
Irritable Mystic, 2026
9/10
The Chicago avant-toy-orchestra, Microplastique, i.e. Adam Shead, Molly Jones, Josh Harlow, and Ben Zucker, bring their inimitable talents to these 7 unpredictable and exciting jazz tracks.
“Aghot’k” opens with a mysterious ambience, before the playful percussive ideas enters the strategic droning that carries a sci-fi appeal, and “Inner/Outer” follows with a ‘found objects’ mood that balances winds with drumming bouts.
”Turn II” and “Bounce” land in the middle. The former enlists dreamy flute amid the colorful whistles, while the latter is a rich album highlight that emits radiant sax alongside dense drumming. The title track exits, and it’s nearly 30 minutes of frisky drumming, animated winds and plenty of atypical noise.
This is the 2nd album from the improvisational wizards, and was recorded live across the ensemble’s 15-concert June 2025 U.S. tour. An impressive effort that embraces spontaneity, simplicity and archetypal melody, each member plays many instruments that commands our attention.
Travels well with: Microplastique- Blare Blow Bloom!; Stein/Smith/Shead- Volumes & Surfaces