If one had to sum up Donald Fagen’s latest offering, Sunken Condos, in a single word, it would unquestionably be ‘smooth.’ From the funky five-minute opener “Slinky Thing,” the album establishes a mood of sultry reverie that holds (although admittedly not always so effectively). Nevertheless, the nine tracks constitute an accomplished, confidently suave release .

The album’s strength is Fagen’s lucid lyricism. He avoids the abstract un-interpretability of some former works, instead offering a series of insightful witticisms and enjoyable allusions (“Memorabilia” is a standout on this front).

Some tracks, “Slinky Thing” notable amongst them, exude the chilled-out jazz ambiance one may have come to expect from a Fagen album. The proficiency with which this is accomplished legitimizes the release as an evolution, rather than a mere continuation, of Fagen’s work. Others—try “Miss Marlene” for a falsetto-heavy example—go further toward stretching the man’s repertoire, in this case through their dramatic emotional intensity.

‘Smooth’ is, however, by no means synonymous with interesting. The album, while remaining innocuously enjoyable throughout, falls short of the originality or creativity  that one hopes for, and expect, from such a mature and accomplished musician. The end result is somewhat uninspired, and comes across as perfunctorily lacklustre more than flawlessly mellow.

Despite this, Sunken Condos  is an enjoyable and thoroughly listenable work from a man, whose impact on today’s music scene is undeniable. It’s worthy of at least a few spins, if only to experience just how ‘groovy’ a 64-year old can be.