Saxophonist-composer Clowes’ fifth album is an adventurous and enjoyable expansion of interests and ideas. On one hand she is further reflecting her passion for the visual arts, and film in particular. The title is a nod to Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi hit Arrival, whose themes of communication and shifting perceptions Clowes explores alongside tracks that see her comment on anything from the mechanics of sound – ‘Lightning Les’ refers to the fast setting of Ross Stanley’s Hammond organ – to the overawing nature of the universe. Themes aside, the set is a consolidation of where Clowes’ quartet left off on 2017’s My Iris insofar there is a balance between the players, and a stylistic openness in the material, which shifts stealthily between a grounded, melodic accessibility and airy abstraction. Stanley’s intelligent movement between piano and organ provides a significant variety of detail and density in the ensemble sound. This is also reinforced by Clowes’s own tone, which, on occasion, has a noticeably harder, weightier character than on previous releases. Furthermore, her decision to sing on ‘Free To Fall’ is a left of field manoeuvre that brings a notable change of mood to an album that has enough layers to warrant repeat listening. It marks another worthwhile stage in Clowes’ steady growth as a contemporary artist.