Never Stop II
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Jazz music albums |
Never Stop II represents the thirteenth studio release from the American jazz trio The Bad Plus, made available on January 19, 2018, through Legbreaker Records.
Background
This record introduces pianist Orrin Evans as the new member, succeeding Ethan Iverson. Comprised of 10 original tracks composed by the ensemble members, it acts as a successor to the 2010 album Never Stop.
Reception
Hank Shteamer of Rolling Stone remarked that no single player dominates; instead, the compositions themselves take center stage—indicating that despite changes in personnel, Never Stop II continues the signature Bad Plus approach. Nate Chinen from NPR emphasized the album as a reaffirmation of the group's essence through original works by Anderson, King, and Evans. Samuel Stroup of All About Jazz commended Evans’ role as pianist, improviser, and composer, viewing it as an encouraging new phase for the band. Matt Collar at AllMusic characterized the album as a concentrated and atmospheric collection that simultaneously serves as a continuation and an introduction with Evans’ involvement. According to Howard Reich of Chicago Tribune, the trio is crafting a fresh shared musical language influenced by both their past and Evans’ unique style, hinting at ongoing development beyond previous frameworks.