1. September 2025
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Media Review

Stephen Jay – Off-Bass

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Stephen Jay - Off-Bass

Stephen Jay - Off-Bass
4.8

Rating

 4.8/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Very versatile, sometimes suprising album
  • Great musical excellence

Stephen Jay is back. After I reviewed his solo albums Understatement (2023) and Vita Beata (2022) already, the bassist and multi-instrumentalist released a new record on 8th August 2025. Here is my review of Off Bass.

 

Stephen Jay – About The Artist

The 26th January 1951-born Eugene Stephen Jay is a US-American bassist and multi-instrumentalist. Since 1982, the Detroit native is the bassist of Weird Al Yankovic. As such, he was part of several Grammy Award-winning productions. However, Jay is also known for other projects, like the ethno-funk duo Ak & Zuie or his studies on West African drumming. As a solo artist, he started to release solo records in 1997 (Sea Never Dry). Off-Bass is his nineteenth solo album.

 

Stephen Jay – Off-Bass – Track by Track

The thirteen song album lasts 49 minutes.

1. Telenergy

After a short intro part, the bass is taking control of Telenergy. Stephen Jay stays in his bassy-groovy style, which more and more develops towards funk. Overall, the opener experiments a lot with different sounds, which does have a bit of a confusing touch initially. However, it does have a plot and an interesting suspense curve.

2. Now is in Blurland

After the less than three minute opener, the next two songs are above five minutes long. Now is in Blurland thereby illustrates Jay’s interest in African / ethnic drumming. The rhythm feels to be the most present instrumental element of the second song. In contrast to his two albums before, many songs on Off-Bass have a narrative vocal part as well. I really like listening to the rather calm and warm voice.

3. God Only Guards the Tool Shed

God Only Guards the Tool Shed welcomes the listener with a rather bluesy groove. The instruments are likely a bit more dominant to the vocals compared to mainstream productions. The song is meandering through different moods and atmospheres. Thereby, it creates a lovely flow. Am I the only one who thinks of Hotel California by The Eagles when the opening theme pops up, by the way? Amazing listen.

4. Two Potato

Let’s move to the rhythm of Two Potato – Stephen Jay is going for funky vibes again. However, the track has a very individual style. This also keeps you curious about what is coming next. Magical Mr Jay is keeping you entertained and smiling.

5. Big Shoes

Flutes, some ethnic percussion, rhythmic vocal elements – a lot of interesting elements welcome you at the beginning of Big Shoes, before the song moves towards that indie-funk style again. That’s the magic of Stephen Jay’s music. Even though he might confuse you a bit at the beginning, the music feels to suck you into its story. He will never sell and stream millions of units with it (which is some kind of sad), but the more you give it a chance, the more you like it. With multi-layered vocals, brass elements, some synth, guitars and more, this song is a really cool, complex, but also theatrical listen.

6. Hollow Man

Hollow Man is a song with a strong rhythm and a very intense atmosphere. A key elements are the vocals again, who just have the drums/percussion and some guitar and bass elements for most of the time. The song feels like an intense choral with a world music touch and thus adds a very different aspect to Off-Bass.

7. Whatever It Is

You never know what Stephen Jay has in stock next. Whatever It Is starts with some trumpet sounds, before the song turns into an indie-pop track with folk elements. One elements which feels to link the songs of the album are the non-Western style rhythmic elements – and the cool bass grooves (of course). A very versatile, very interesting song, which also has something in stock for guitar solo lovers.

8. She Says It

The next song is the five minute She Says It. The song is a little less rhythmic, but overall comes with the same elements. Cool work on the bass, a nice influence from a wide range of instruments. The relaxed style reminds me of lounge music. Overall, the song is not as present as other tracks on this album, but it has a cool style.

9. Arial Varial

With 2:53 minutes, Arial Varial is one of the shorter songs. Maybe that’s why Jay is in a hurry – the speed of this one feels insane. Overall, it is an instrumental showcase, which is absolutely impressing due to the musical skills of Stephen Jay. If you can move to the fast beat of this track, I am really impressed.

10. Self Avoiding Random Walk

The slower, more laid back vibes of the Self Avoiding Random Walk remind me of reggae tunes. The song develops a beautiful and catching melody. Thus, if you are new to Stephen Jay’s music, this one is maybe a good one to start with – the tenth song of Off-Bass has some “mainstream vibes”.

11. Umma Umma Umma

At a company party, I recently attended a beatboxing beginners’ workshop. The beginning of Umma Umma Umma reminds me of that. A significant part of the groovy vibes of the track are driven are driven from the microphone. The rhythmic style of the song is cool. Overall, though, I struggle a bit with it. It simply feels too virtuous here and there for my taste of music.

12. In Between the Two

In Between the Two combines Americana styles with elements of music I would rather identify with Asian cultures. However, the foundation of the song is a rock music one, so that the song overall feels like a progressive rock track with some very special features. A really nice arrangement. By the way, the music to this song have been written by Stephen’s son, Miles Jay. Family business – and Stephen Jay did the lyrics for that one.

13. Fortunate Ways

The closing Fortunate Ways is the shortest song on Off-Bass. Expecially in the context of the album, the song feels harmonic, almost dreaming. A really nice finale.

 

Stephen Jay – Off-Bass – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Stephen Jay – Off-Bass – My View

Finally, I could never say something bad about Stephen Jay. He is one of the most friendly, superbly interested and educated people I met in the music industry. When it comes to his music, it is even easier to stay positive. Off-Bass reminds me of Vita Beata. The 2025 record is full of musical excellence, the too virtuous parts (in my point of view) are very limited. You get a versatile, interesting and always a bit of surprising record. Funk and pop are key genres, but there are a lot of additional different styles in there. I love it.

Favorite Song: Big Shoes

 

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