Recorded in real time: The Nth Power keep it loose on Never Alone
01 May 2026
Newsdesk
There’s a certain risk in recording an album the way Never Alone was made. Tracking live, leaning on instinct, and avoiding over-editing can leave a record feeling unfinished if the chemistry isn’t there. For The Nth Power, it largely works because that chemistry has been established over years of playing together.
The album opens with “Dream Alive,” which immediately sets a tone that carries through the rest of the record. The groove is tight, but not rigid. There’s movement inside the rhythm, with each player adjusting slightly as the track unfolds. It feels less like a fixed composition and more like a moment being captured.
That sense of immediacy continues across the album. Songs like “Thirsty” and “Finding Ourselves” don’t rely on dramatic shifts or big hooks. Instead, they develop through repetition and subtle changes in arrangement. It’s a style that rewards close listening, though it may feel understated for those expecting sharper contrasts.
The guest appearances are used sparingly. “Simple Life,” featuring The Soul Rebels, introduces a more celebratory tone, with the horns adding a sense of lift. It’s one of the few moments where the album steps outside its core palette.
“Smile,” with Nicholas Payton and Skerik, takes the opposite approach. The track is slower, more deliberate, and built around a gradual progression. The horns are integrated into the structure rather than sitting on top of it, which keeps the focus on the band’s interplay.
Nikki Glaspie’s role throughout the album is central. Her drumming shapes the feel of each track without dominating it. Nick Cassarino and Nate Edgar respond to that foundation with a mix of restraint and precision, often choosing space over density.
One of the more interesting aspects of Never Alone is how consistent it is. There aren’t many sharp turns or unexpected shifts. That consistency can read as cohesion or limitation, depending on perspective, but it clearly reflects a deliberate choice.
For a record that often feels built in the moment, the next phase of that process unfolds naturally onstage. The Nth Power are marking the release with New Orleans shows around Jazz Fest before continuing through 2026 with club dates and festival appearances, including stops in Hartford, New York City, Portsmouth, Allentown, Chicago, and Johnstown, where these songs will likely continue to expand beyond their recorded forms. Check out their dates at thenthpowermusic.com.
