Side-Eye III+

III+ continues the loose Side-Eye concept with a larger group around Pat Metheny on guitar, joined by keyboards, bass, drums, harp, accordion, percussion, and voices. On paper that lineup promises color and contrast, and musically the album often leans toward the classic Pat Metheny Group aesthetic.

The writing follows a familiar path. Lyrical melodies, layered arrangements, and grooves that unfold gradually rather than explode. If you enjoy Metheny’s long-established palette, the material will feel immediately recognizable.

Music

The music is enjoyable, and there are moments where the expanded lineup pays off. Brandee Younger and Vincent Peirani offer real potential for contrast, and when the album settles into its groove, Metheny's muted guitar lines are as fluent and expressive as ever. The band plays well together, and several tracks land exactly where they aim.

The problem is that very little here pushes anywhere new. Most songs could sit comfortably on a mid-period Group record, which is not a criticism on its own, but over eight tracks it starts to feel like a lateral move rather than a development.

A few electronic touches, like at the end of the opening track seem to try to reach for something different, but they feel more like ornamentation than intention. Or even a distraction at times, and certainly do not change the character of the record in any meaningful way.

Sound

Pressing play, the first thing you notice is how little room anything has to move. The mix is dense, and it stays dense. Instruments crowd each other throughout, and what could be a rich, layered ensemble often arrives as a single undifferentiated mass, with interesting lines occasionally surfacing before being swallowed again.

The compression is the central issue. Metheny's records have been getting more and more compressed, and this one not only continues the trend. It takes it to almost a ridiculous level.

The low end is heavy and sits forward, but it lacks the definition that would make it punchy rather than just present. The bass overhangs the lower register in a way that makes things feel bottom-heavy rather than grounded.

Up top, the highs are slightly muted, and cymbals have little ring or decay, which flattens the sense of space and removes some of the natural air you would expect from a group recording.

Separation is the other casualty. The mix does not give it much to work with. Picking out individual contributions from the harp or accordion requires effort that the music should not be demanding.

It is a frustrating listen, because the playing underneath is good, and the recording quality occasionally hints at what might have been with more space and less density.

Final take

Side-Eye III+ is a record I wanted to like more than the sound allows. Metheny and his group bring real musical personality, and the album is genuinely enjoyable in stretches. But the compressed, blurry mix is a persistent obstacle, and I find it hard to imagine returning to this one often. The effort of hearing past the production really outweighs the reward. Worth a listen for Metheny fans, but approach the sound with tempered expectations.