Anna Butterss’ Mighty Vertebrate is a striking album that defies easy categorization, blending jazz, indie, and experimental music into a cohesive and imaginative body of work. Hailing from Adelaide, Australia, and now based in Los Angeles, Butterss has gained recognition as a versatile bassist and collaborator, contributing to a wide range of projects, including Tortoise, Andrew Bird and Aimee Mann. With this solo release, however, they take center stage, crafting an album that is meticulously composed yet brimming with creative spontaneity.
Right from the opening track, “Bishop,” it’s clear that Mighty Vertebrate isn’t a conventional jazz album. Butterss’ bass isn’t content to simply hold down the rhythm—it becomes a dynamic and melodic force, interacting with the other instruments in unexpected ways. “Bishop” sets the stage with a groove that feels deep and rooted, the bass pulsing through the track with a fluidity that’s more suggestive than assertive, setting a meditative, atmospheric tone. This fluidity extends throughout the album, as Butterss explores different sonic textures and ideas. Tracks like “Pokemans” show their penchant for combining organic and electronic elements, mixing lo-fi drum machines with delicate guitar riffs. The music evolves in layers, starting from a deceptively simple foundation and building into a rich, textured composition. Midway through, the track shifts gears, introducing a saxophone solo that injects warmth and depth into the electronic landscape. The result is a genre-blurring mix of styles that feels fresh and inventive.
“Dance Steve,” featuring a standout contribution from guitarist Jeff Parker (Tortoise), builds from a minimalist rhythm into a hypnotic groove. The track’s guitar work, combined with a steady beat, forms a rhythmic tapestry that is as intricate as it is catchy. The album’s variety of moods and textures ensures that it never stays in one place for too long. “Shorn” and “Ella” are more introspective, showcasing Butterss’ ability to create delicate, almost cinematic soundscapes. The quiet interplay between guitar, saxophone, and bass evokes a sense of stillness, offering moments of calm between the more upbeat tracks. In contrast, “Seeing You” ventures into darker, more ominous territory, with a brooding atmosphere that gradually builds in intensity. The track unfolds slowly, almost like a journey through an emotional landscape, where every element has room to evolve and expand. The track “Saturno” brings the album to a reflective close, offering a serene and contemplative finale. The music here feels weightless, almost like a slow exhale after the emotional depth of the previous tracks. It’s a fitting end to an album that has taken the listener on such a varied sonic journey.
Ultimately, Mighty Vertebrate is a testament to Anna Butterss’ creative vision and their ability to push the boundaries of genre. One of the album’s strengths lies in its ability to blend influences while maintaining a cohesive identity. There are echoes of jazz, post-rock, lo-fi electronica, and even hints of dub and Afrobeat, yet none of these elements overpower the others. Buttress has a gift for balancing contrasting textures and tones, creating a sound that feels expansive yet focused. The presence of longtime collaborators like saxophonist Josh Johnson, guitarist Gregory Uhlmann, and drummer/producer Ben Lumsdaine helps solidify the album’s cohesiveness. Their contributions are vital in translating Butterss’ vision into a living, breathing sound. As an album, it’s a bold statement, marking Butterss as a formidable presence in contemporary music.
