New Music Friday: The best albums out Feb. 14

Spirit Fall is the latest studio album by John Patitucci, recorded in August 2024. The album features a trio with Chris Potter and Brian Blade, reflecting Patitucci's deep connection with his collaborators, his New York roots, and his spiritual convictions. The music embodies the hope and unity that jazz can offer.

Southern Nights is a live jazz album by Sullivan Fortner, recorded during his second weeklong residency as a bandleader at the Village Vanguard in July 2023. The album features a trio with Peter Washington on bass and Marcus Gilmore on drums. Despite their first-ever collaboration and limited rehearsal, the trio's chemistry was immediate, resulting in a raw, unedited live recording. The album includes tunes by Allen Toussaint, Consuela Lee, and Fortner's original compositions, celebrating the music of New Orleans and showcasing the trio's spontaneous and connected performance.

Released on February 14, 2025, *Horror* is Bartees Strange's third studio album. The album delves into everyday fears, Blackness, and the search for a safe place to call home. It features a diverse range of sounds, from the Fleetwood Mac-esque groove of 'Sober' to the emotional climax of '17', which addresses existential fears as a Queer, Black person. The album was co-produced with Jack Antonoff and features contributions from other notable artists and producers.

Denison Witmer’s album 'Anything At All' is a reflective collection of ten folk-pop songs that delve into themes of family life, domesticity, and existential questions. Recorded primarily at Sufjan Stevens’ Catskills studio during the pandemic, the album features contributions from Stevens, Andy Park, Sam Evian, Hannah Cohen, Sean Lane, and Keenan O'Meara. The songs explore topics like bird watching, carpentry, houseplants, and hiking, suggesting that a life lived with thoughtfulness and care can lead to deeper joy and fulfillment.