Reuniting under the auspices of proven musical chemistry and a shared sense of whimsy, acoustic guitar hero and bassist offer up , their third outing as a duo. While has remained active as ever with business and a pleasing assortment of solo and side projects, all but disappeared after 2005's , the pair's previous collaboration, and didn't issue any music for 15 years. Like their two previous albums, 2020's is laced with complex musical figures, offbeat lyrics, and a spring-like funkiness, though it also takes more ruminative turns, thanks in part to the existential gravity of some of 's songwriting contributions. The playing, of course, is spectacular throughout, as befitting these two instrumental giants; 's distinctive picking patterns sound as bold as ever and weaves them together with his own jaunty dexterity. Vocals are present on all but two of the 11 cuts, which are dotted with a pair of oddball covers: 's dark-hued reading of ' "Eight Miles High" is a highlight, though 's breezy folk-funk take on 's "Alphabet Street" never quite gets off the ground. The instrumental tracks, "Flat Top" and "Ants," are wonderfully virtuosic performances imbued with warmth and drama in equal measure. 's dexterous meditation, "Noon to Noon," wears its melancholy like brittle armor while keeps things lighter, as on eccentric groovers "I Am Random" and "How Many People Are You." For the most part, the set is casual and intimate with few overdubs and the addition of drummer (also of ) on just a handful of tracks. Not all of the writing is stellar, but 's deficits are generally outweighed by the duo's sense of camaraderie and musicianship, making for a strong third outing and a welcome return for , in particular. ~ Timothy Monger