The Distance

The atmospheric combination of piano, percussion, and electric guitar is fully explored on The Distance, an album of composed improvisations. Tracks like “Treacle” signal the trio’s commitment to textural exploration while at the same time exposing their canonic jazz chops: these kids know their chord scales. Jump cuts between traditional ride cymbal groove and arrhythmic happy places are executed with hairpin precision—beware, it’s startling at times. Always changing things up, the album rarely settles into a lengthy jam, which is perfect for those who prefer music with an element of surprise.

—RN