Squint - Julian Lage (1LP Vinyl)

Squint by Julian Lage.

There is a particular thrill in dropping the needle on a record that feels both grounded and searching, and "Squint" by Julian Lage delivers exactly that sensation from its very first moments. Side A opens with "Etude," a piece whose title alone hints at the disciplined craft and exploratory spirit running through the whole album, before easing into the loose, rolling swing of "Boo's Blues."

The title track, "Squint," arrives third on the first side, an anchoring centerpiece that gives the record its name and its character. From there the sequence moves through "Saint Rose," "Emily," and "Familiar Flower," a run of tunes that showcases the range of moods Lage can conjure, from tender and hushed to bright and quietly propulsive. There is a conversational quality to the way these pieces unfold, the sense of ideas being turned over and examined in real time.

Flip to Side B and the album stretches out further. "Day And Age" opens the second half, followed by the intriguingly titled "Quiet Like a Fuse," a phrase that captures something essential about Lage's playing: restraint that hums with latent energy, a stillness that can ignite without warning. "Short Form" keeps things nimble and economical before the record drifts into its final stretch.

The closing pair, "Twilight Surfer" and "Call Of The Canyon," send the listener off on an evocative note, all wide horizons and fading light. These are titles that suggest space and landscape, and they make a fitting conclusion to a record so attentive to atmosphere and texture. By the time the last groove spins out, "Squint" feels like a complete journey rather than a simple collection of tunes.

This pressing carries the runout markings 00602435521527-A KPG@CA on the first side and 00602435521527-B KPG@CA on the second, small etched details that reward the collector who likes to know exactly what they are holding. Across eleven tracks split evenly between two sides, the album makes a strong case for vinyl as the ideal format, giving Lage's tone the room and warmth it deserves.

For anyone building a shelf of contemporary jazz guitar or simply looking for a record that rewards repeated, attentive listening, "Squint" is a natural addition. It rewards the casual spin and the deep dive alike, and it belongs among the modern records worth returning to here at

Pressing Details:
Runouts:
00602435521527-A KPG@CA
00602435521527-B KPG@CA

Track Listing:
A1. Etude
A2. Boo’s Blues
A3. Squint
A4. Saint Rose
A5. Emily
A6. Familiar Flower
B1. Day And Age
B2. Quiet Like a Fuse
B3. Short Form
B4. Twilight Surfer
B5. Call Of The Canyon

Artist: Julian Lage

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Blue Note

Catalog Number: 602435521527

Release Year: 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Condition: Sealed (New)