misunderstander
Fans of Eivind Aarset’s ambient side who also hanker for the nü jazz and rockish guitar mastery of his 1998-2015 Jazzland albums should find much pleasure here. Among many highlights, the driving, dramatic theme to “Outbound”/“Inbound” shares DNA with IE’s “Wanderlust” and “Pearl Hunter” is as immersive as its title suggests. The album holds enveloping atmospheres and simpatico 4-tet (plus guests) interplay in perfect balance, with Aarset’s extraordinary, effects-laden fretwork leading the way.
Favorite track: Outbound, or Stubb1.