Kneebody have been making elusive music since meeting as students 18 years ago at Rochester's Eastman School of Music, with this, their ninth album, continuing that trend with an unflinchingly emotive take on artfully spaced-out fusion. Still featuring the band's original line-up, albeit with former bassist Kaveh Rastegar's role fulfilled by several guest low-enders, and between extraordinary drummer/multi-instrumentalist Nate Wood's ability to play bass, keys and sing at the same time, Chapters has a typically robust American hybrid sound, which sees the foursome jump through jazz-rock, synth-pop and indie-shoegaze hoops with infectious enthusiasm. The forthright horns of Wendel and Endsley drive the heavily melodic instrumentals, such as ‘Spectra’, A Seaworthy Native’ and the title-track, darting around some labyrinthine lines and stark harmonies with coruscating solos to match, while Wood and Benjamin map out immersive layers of rhythm and harmony beneath. The three vocal tracks spice things up, making the difference here Michael Mayo's curious lyrics and simpatico unison vocal line with Wendel on What's My Name’ is an off-kilter delight, while Becca Stevens brings some on-song vulnerability to Wounds Let In The Light’ and it's great to hear Gretchen Parlato's hushed intensity on When It All Comes Down’, which evolves from heartfelt ballad to affecting jazz-informed anthem. Fans of Bowie's Blackstar – which did so much to unite art-rock and jazz sophistication – will find much to enjoy here.