Off the Record is a compilation album by American drummer, composer, and record producer Makaya McCraven. It was released on October 17, 2025, through International Anthem Recording Company, Nonesuch Records, and XL Recordings. It received universal acclaim from critics.
Background Makaya McCraven is an American drummer, composer, and record producer. Off the Record is his first major project since In These Times (2022). It compiles four EPs: PopUp Shop, Hidden Out!, Techno Logic, and The People's Mixtape. It contains performances by McCraven, Jeff Parker, Benjamin J. Shepherd, Justefan, Junius Paul, Marquis Hill, Josh Johnson, Theon Cross, Ben LaMar Gay, Joel Ross, and Jeremiah Chiu.
The album was released on October 17, 2025, through International Anthem Recording Company, Nonesuch Records, and XL Recordings. The four EPs were later made available separately on October 31, 2025.
Critical reception
Thom Jurek of AllMusic stated, "While each of these EPs stand on their own in quality, they create a rhythm orgy that is wildly musical and presented as a near symbiotic whole when combined." Tom Morgan of Clash called it "An essential listen for fans of jazz in all its adventurous modern forms and a broadly welcoming one for general listeners, despite its imposing exterior." Eddie Myer of Jazzwise wrote, "Fans of Can, J Dilla, DJ Shadow and similarly hip soundscapes will find much to enjoy here."
Accolades + Year-end lists for Off the Record Publication List Rank AllMusic Favorite Jazz Albums The Line of Best Fit The Best Albums of 2025
Track listing
Charts + Chart performance for Off the Record Chart (2025) Peakposition
References
Further reading
External links