Josh Johnson has a new album on the way. The SML co-founder and member of Jeff Parker’s ETA IVtet announced Animative, the follow-up to his 2024 LP Unusual Object. It marks his debut on International Anthem/Nonesuch.
The record arrives physically on October 23, with a streaming release set for November 10. Johnson, who works as a composer, saxophonist, and synthesist, has already shared a single from the project called “Reece.” You can hear it below.
Guests on Animative
Johnson brought in a set of collaborators for the record. Meshell Ndegeocello appears on the album — Johnson produced her 2023 record The Omnichord Real Book. Marquis Hill, Macie Stewart, and Ben Lumsdaine also make appearances.
The guest list gives the record a broad sonic range. Ndegeocello brings her work as a bassist and vocalist to the project, while Hill contributes trumpet and Stewart adds violin and voice. Lumsdaine, a drummer, rounds out the ensemble.
Johnson’s production work with Ndegeocello on The Omnichord Real Book already established a working relationship between the two. That album came out in 2023 and drew attention for its inventive approach to the Omnichord instrument. Now they reunite on Animative.
Release Shows in Three Cities
Johnson will tour the album with a trio. He’s joined by Anna Butterss and Ben Lumsdaine for three announced release shows this fall.
The dates run from coast to coast. Los Angeles gets the first show on October 27, followed by Minneapolis on November 3 and Brooklyn on December 10. More dates are expected to be announced.
The trio format gives the live performances a specific configuration. Johnson handles saxophone and synthesizer duties, Butterss brings bass, and Lumsdaine sits behind the drums. Together they will carry the album’s material into the live setting.
Recent Records and Production Work
Animative lands after a busy stretch for Johnson. He has released multiple records with SML, the group he co-founded. He also put out work with Gregory Uhlmann and Sam Wilkes, plus more with the Openness Trio alongside Nate Mercereau and Carlos Niño.
He also produced Flea’s recent album Honora.
The range of projects shows Johnson moving across different configurations. SML operates as a collective, the Uhlmann and Wilkes collaboration works as a smaller unit, and the Openness Trio brings in a distinct set of players. Each project gives him a different context for his composing and playing.
His production work adds another layer. Beyond the Ndegeocello album, his work on Honora for Flea connects him to the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist’s solo output. That album arrived recently and adds to Johnson’s growing production credits.
The Ten Tracks on Animative
Animative runs ten tracks deep. The full tracklist is:
- Idiofone
- Reece
- Jazz Chord Possession
- Aughts Hymnal
- Mill
- It Can Be Everywhere
- Strays
- High Step
- Close
- Upstairs 2021
The tracklist covers a range of titles. “Idiofone” opens the record with a term drawn from instrument classification, while “Upstairs 2021” closes it with a time-stamped reference. “Jazz Chord Possession” and “Aughts Hymnal” sit in the middle, suggesting different points of reference.
The single “Reece” occupies the second slot. It serves as the entry point for listeners ahead of the full release.
The Label Debut
The album marks a new step for Johnson. International Anthem and Nonesuch are releasing the record together.
Unusual Object came out last year. Animative follows that release with a new label partnership.
The pairing brings together two distinct operations in the music business. International Anthem has built a catalog of adventurous releases from Chicago-based artists and beyond, while Nonesuch operates as a larger label with a long history. The joint release gives Johnson a platform that spans both worlds.
The Trio for the Fall Dates
The release shows will feature a specific configuration. Johnson, Butterss, and Lumsdaine form the trio for these dates.
Butterss and Lumsdaine will carry the album material into the live setting.
Butterss has built a reputation as an in-demand bassist across jazz and experimental scenes. Lumsdaine, who also appears on the album as a guest, brings his drumming to both the record and the live dates.
The Single “Reece”
The lead single “Reece” is available now. It arrives ahead of the full album, giving listeners a first taste of the record.
The song appears as the second track on Animative.
Listeners can stream “Reece” immediately while waiting for the full album. The physical release arrives October 23, and the streaming version follows November 10.
The Fall Schedule
Johnson has three confirmed release shows this fall. Los Angeles hosts the first on October 27, Minneapolis follows on November 3, and Brooklyn closes the announced run on December 10.
More dates are expected to be announced.
The schedule gives Johnson a full autumn. Between the physical release, the streaming drop, and the trio shows across three cities, he has a packed calendar through the end of the year.
For fans of his work with SML or his production for Ndegeocello and Flea, Animative should be an easy add to the calendar. The physical release lands October 23, and the streaming version follows November 10.
Source: pitchfork.com
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