Keegan Sugnet

Cass McCombs is on tour in support of his epic new album Tip of the Sphere, hitting New York for what should be two very special nights at intimate venues: Murmrr on March 7 and Bowery Ballroom on March 8. If you’re lucky enough to grab one of the few remaining tickets to the Murmrr show, you’ll have the not-to-be-missed privilege of hearing him play with frequent collaborator and Brooklyn JRAD staple Joe Russo, who announced just last week on Twitter that he’ll be joining the band on the kit. While the 41-year-old musician has carved out one of the more varied and consistently great songwriting catalogs of the 21st century, he’s hit a seriously prolific stride over just the last few years. Starting with 2016’s great Mangy Love and followed by his criminally underheard work with The Skiffle Players, Tip of the Sphere now finds him at the top of his craft. The 11-track album is experimental and jammy without ever being anything but structurally and melodically tight. The lyrics, as usual, avoid the heavy-handed and provide the listener with just as many compelling questions as answers. Most importantly—like the best of his work—its rich, intricate songwriting hooks on first listen but rewards with every subsequent spin, making it one that will not only still be in rotation by the end of the year, but will be revealing new shades too. As enduring as the records are, they’ve got nothing on seeing Cass McCombs play live. Be prepared for at times drastic rearrangements and longer