Stephen Malkmus and the Jacks

At the age of 51, deep into his career, Stephen Malkmus is still untangling the secrets of songwriting while toying with the listener, unleashing fresh barrages of lyrical non-sequiturs and lexical contortion.

He told the New York Times recently his phraseology is the product of a brain that functions “like a broken computer”.

And on this seventh record since his old band Pavement split in 1999, the Californiaborn Portland resident teases many a cryptic verse, bolstered by ever-catchy hooks, glamrock detours and intricate guitar noodling.

Malkmus is later joined by Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon for the countrified stomp of Refute, a playful meeting of incorrigibly creative minds, as this highly rewarding album nears its close.

8/10