Steve Malkmus & The Jicks

Mirror Traffic Domino ****

Stephen Malkmus's fifth record provides a pleasing distillation of his contrarian mind. The hazy loveliness of Tigersrecalls Pavement's finer moments, and there's a surprising tenderness to the guitars of No One (Is As I Are Be). Senatorcontains a strangely cynical crudity, replete with scuzzy guitars. It also makes great use of Malkmus's ageless voice, something he has in common with Beck, who produced the album and provides some signature touches: the warm-sounding instruments, the sense of nostalgia.The two men share a dreamy nonchalance, evident on the country-inflected Brain Gallopand the psychedelic swirls of All Over Gently. Tune Griefis all fuzzing rock, and the beautiful echoey chamber pop on Stick Figures in Lovereminds us what a great songwriter Malkmus is. See stephenmalkmus.com

Download tracks: Tigers, Stick Figures in Love, Forever 28