Photo Credit: Elena Stanton

Today, The Bad Plus have released a new single, “Sun Wall,” off their debut eponymous offering that will serve as their 15th studio album. The latter will drop on Sept. 30 via Edition Records and marks a new iteration of the ensemble as a dynamic new quartet.

The Bad Plus’ latest offering expands upon the band’s original lineup as a piano-bass-drums trio with the introduction of guitarist Ben Monder and saxophonist Chris Speed, which has presented the adventurous troupe with the ability to challenge conventionality with an updated approach to their beloved sound. 

Their new single, “Sun Wall,” clocks in at over five minutes and showcases the elaborate and refined nature of 21 years of experience. The tune captures the troupe’s Avante-Garde essence, as the musicians touch on new forms of instrumental experimentation on their latest single.

“Sun Wall” follows The Bad Plus’ first preview off their new self-titled album, “Motivations II,” which dropped in mid-May. The release allowed fans of the band the first opportunity to check out the group’s updated sound, which drummer Dave King describes as “changing the lineup from a trio to a quartet with guitar and saxophone that still sounds coherent as The Bad Plus. Having two main composers was our greatest card to play. Our language remains, and that’s the magic.”

The founding member of the band also offered a statement about “Sun Wall,” he added, “I wrote this tune for my mom because she loved instrumental tunes in 7/4 with a broken over-the-bar melody and a bit of a melancholy hook.” King concludes, “Then I borrowed the title from a Lee Krasner painting.” 

In addition to new music, The Bad Plus will begin a six-night stand at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club in New York’s Greenwich Village later this month. The ensemble will take the stage starting on July 19 and perform nightly through July 24. Tickets can be purchased through the band’s official website, thebadplus.com. 

Stream The Bad Plus’ new single “Sun Wall” now. 

Pre-order the forthcoming LP, The Bad Plus, here.