Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – Wig Out At Jagbags

“Actually,” remarks Stephen Malkmus, halfway through his sixth solo record, “I’m not contractually obliged to care.” He’s right too – of the many strengths on display throughout his twenty-four year career, sincerity has never been a particularly notable feature. He’s an ironist; a smart-arse who gets more kicks from not giving a fuck than from giving his all.

Regardless, Wig Out At Jagbags finds the ex-Pavement man in fine form. Whether snarking at punk purists (Ramble At The Rainbo) or warmly intoning coming-of-age tales (Lariat), it’s genuinely funny (“We lived on Tennyson and venison and The Grateful Dead” is a special moment), while the accompanying Jicks help serve up his most engaging set of pop songs in over a decade. Even with brass embellishments lending an air of overt politeness to proceedings, Wig Out is both slanted and enchanted enough to goof its way into your heart. It’ll stay there too. [Will Fitzpatrick]