Renowned guitarist Nels Cline’s new band Consentrik Quartet has announced a debut-, self-titled album, due out March 14.
Cline, best known for his work with Wilco and his boundary-pushing projects for Blue Note Records, has long been celebrated for his wide-ranging musical style. Consentrik Quartet continues this tradition, drawing from the guitarist’s vast influences while creating a fresh sound that blends improvisation with tight, jazz-informed compositions. The group gathers an all-star lineup, including saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock, bassist Chris Lightcap, and drummer Tom Rainey.
“I wanted to create music that reflects the players and allows them to shine,” Cline says. “Compared to my other projects, this is more of a jazz group—there’s a focus on clarity and mastery from each member.” Cline praises his bandmates, especially Laubrock, whose complex yet intimate playing consistently impresses him throughout the album.
The roots of Consentrik Quartet date back to 2018, when Cline first assembled the band for a free-improvisation performance at The Stone in Brooklyn. Cline later received a grant from the Ars Nova Workshop, which funded new compositions for the group. The onset of the pandemic delayed the group’s debut, but also provided Cline with the space to reflect and refine his vision for the project, as he explained in a press statement. “I was enveloped in silence,” Cline recalls. “It gave me time to think about what the Consentrik aesthetic could be. I started with a more traditional approach but eventually found myself writing funkier, groovier tunes.”
Consentrik Quartet’s lead single “The 23” is out now. They’ll celebrate the album’s March release with a performance noted Knoxville, Tennessee festival Big Ears. Cline has multiple appearances scheduled at the festival, including sets with eucademix, Jenny Scheinman, and an expanded version of The Nels Cline Singers. More tour dates are yet to be announced.