Confusion Project: Last

Pianist Michal Ciesielski's and bassist Piotr Gierszewski's explorations of early to mid-period Pat Metheny are skilled and engaging—and there's more subversion afoot with the visceral approach of drummer Adam Golicki, who muscles the seven tracks from start to finish. He shapes them, breaks them, realigns and possibly takes them where they weren't intended to go. It makes for a real good listen.

Recorded in early October 2020 in Gdańsk, Last is the fourth disc by the Polish trio Confusion Project and follows in the same uncompromising spirit as that of their well received 2019 environmental suite Primal (Self Produced). Tinkering twixt fusion and prog rock, the trio—especially Golicki, who likes to play it cool before barging in on any and all of Ciesielski's finely worked architectures—shift between the two genres with fierce resolve.

"Last," "Denial," "Anxiety," and "Downfall" wrest the ear as they contort, rumble and rattle the rafters. The neo-classical hints that shadow Ciesielski's playing are a definite bonus, making "Please Remember My World" and "Afterwards" graceful opposites of the tracks before them.