Album: Donald Fagen, Sunken Condos (Reprise)

Each new Donald Fagen album is like trading in your old car for a new version of the same model.

This year's version features the usual relaxed jazz-pop grooves, sophisticated horn arrangements and tinder-dry ironic tone. In “Slinky Thing”, Fagen's electric piano nudges along a melody luminous with vibes; darker indigo shades tint the blues guitar of “Weather In My Head”. And in “I'm Not The Same Without You”, Fagen cheekily claims the benefits of breaking up: “I'm evolving at an astounding rate.” But staying in exactly the right place, thankfully.

Download: Slinky Thing; I'm Not The Same Without You; Miss Marlene