Two of the 90s alt giants have come together for ‘Mirror Traffic’. Out front is Malkmus, continuing his bent-out-of-shape compositions with The Jicks; and out back is Beck, in the control room contributing his soft-focus styled production. Between them they have honed a very good record indeed.

This is no great leap from previous Malkmus records – off notes, up notes, slightly restless notes are all present. Guitars tirelessly run around the house as Malkmus strings together a range of off-set melodies. But these are solid tunes that feel loose, given a West Coast vibration by Mr Hanson and his control desk.

‘Tigers’ cruises in a straight-line, strums and likeable riffs aplenty. ‘Asking Price’ gently moves between burning electric guitars and a beat mellowed by Beck’s recognisable touch.

The sliding ‘Long Hard Book’ feels like a departure – a musician who slows down, turns inwards, the words “I’m ever so frightened” ring out as the music fades for a short moment. And the open harmonies on ‘Fall Over’ seem to open a secret door to Malkmus’ emotions, a door previously concealed with a wonky, go-lucky attitude and bundle of infectious tunes.

But with 15 tracks on offer there is plenty of time to explore all the perimeters of the Malkmus make-up – from the nervous energy, fuzz coated ‘Spazz’ (which has a great harmonious bridge), to the ever-changing ‘Forever 28’, which flies, skips and intermittently explodes with distorted expression.

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks have rarely disappointed, but on ‘Mirror Traffic’ they may well have surpassed all that has gone before, throwing out a collection of intricacies, perfected carelessness and glimpses of deeper thought. What more could we ask for?

-Harper Lawson-