London-based guitarist Titus Maz digs into late-night introspection on his excellent album Midnight Station. Blending modern jazz, groove fusion, and cinematic textures, the record moves seamlessly from the complex, 7/8 pacing of “Ajna” to the fast-paced title track, matching lounge-ready keys with soulful, improvisational guitar work.
A stellar display of musicianship and atmosphere, opening track “Ajna” moves wonderfully amidst steady, lush percussive pitter-patter and jazzy guitar lines. Spacey, lounge-ready keys compel with psychedelic allure into the track’s midpoint, while the guitar work flows with a seamless soulfulness. The subsequent “Steppin’ on a Tree Branch” excels as well, jumpier and more key-driven initially, though settling into a similarly enchanting display of tender guitar tones and atmospheric introspection; the mixture of laid-back guitar/piano interplay and more bursting charisma finds a lovely middle ground between lo-fi contemplation and inventive dexterity.
Another standout effort is the release’s title track, which is particularly invigorating in its expressive guitars and serenely absorbing keys, interacting with personality-filled flair while hectic rhythms and responsive bass linger alongside. A shift around the two-minute turn, into piano-led elegance, is especially gorgeous. “This Year, I really want to travel more” also emphasizes an immersive sound with lead vocals, proving very melodic. Midnight Station is a gem of an album from Titus Maz, whose dynamic reach — from grooving energy to moody jazz orientations — is on full display throughout.
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“Steppin’ on a Tree Branch” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
