Long-running, genre-bending American jazz combo The Bad Plus released last year their eponymous album, marking their first release as a quartet, having played as a drums/bass/piano trio for more than two decades. They have now shared an unreleased track, ‘Electric Face’, from the same album sessions. Speaking about the track, bassist Reid Anderson comments:

“I wrote ‘Electric Face’ in Kingston, NY during the summer of 2021, while listening to a lot of science podcasts. When a caterpillar goes into the chrysalis and transforms into a moth, it basically dissolves and the structure is determined by an electrical pattern which is the guide that turns it from mush into a moth. There’s an electrical pattern in the face of the moth, and this is what inspired the song.”

Take a listen to ‘Electric Face’ below:

The Bad Plus is out now through Edition Records

Photo: Cory Dewald

More than 20 years into their career, The Bad Plus have been at the forefront of contemporary jazz music and their music remains as relevant and vital as ever. The trio-turned-quartet, with founding members Dave King and Reid Anderson now joined by guitarist Ben Monder and saxophonist Chris Speed, are releasing their eponymous album on September 30th through Edition Records. Speaking about their new iteration as a quartet, King says:

“We feel like we’ve pulled off a magic trick, changing the lineup from a trio to a quartet with guitar and saxophone that still sounds coherent as The Bad Plus. Having two main composers was our greatest card to play. Our language remains, and that’s the magic.”

Anderson also comments:

“If after more than 20 years you can put out a record that has the energy of a debut album, to me, that’s saying something. It’s what reinventing yourself is all about.”

‘Not Even Close to Far Off’ is the third phenomenal single to be lifted from the upcoming The Bad Plus and you can hear it below.