Blue Note

After 50 years as an uncompromising musical innovator always following his muse, the arrival of every Van Morrison album is something of a crapshoot. While it’s certain that Van the Man’s music will be top-notch, it’s impossible to predict whether he’ll be mystical, contemplative or angry; jazzy, bluesy or, surprisingly, country. While clearly at ease and in the moment here, this album doesn’t break any new ground, yet captures every nuance and essence of what makes Morrison a respected musician. The album glides on a loose, airy feel as Morrison scats, mumbles and imparts a deeper knowledge of the universe with tracks that alternately bounce, skate or hover on the jazzy underpinnings of ever-present saxophones, meander across vintage Morrison-esque rock landscapes that recall Astral Weeks, or tap into the mystical truth of No Guru, No Method, No Teacher. It’s for this reason that the album feels oddly familiar, but it’s quintessential Van – so there isn’t anything wrong with that.