It’s been four years since Nubya Garcia released her debut album, Source, firmly establishing herself as a formidable figure in the current jazz scene. The saxophonist earned an avalanche of accolades and competed for the prestigious Mercury Prize, losing out to Arlo Parks for her own radiant debut, Collapsed in Sunbeams. In such a situation the question of how to craft a worthy follow-up can be a vexing one. Garcia decided the best answer hinged on looking past all advice and expectation and trusting she knew the right artistic route the follow.

“The Seer” is the lead single from Garcia’s sophomore album, Odyssey, and it’s a firm, fierce jazz number played with conviction. It opens with a spindly, probing piano line which is joined by an agitated drum part. Then Garcia’s saxophone moves in, ensconced in the overall sound and yet taking complete command. She is the leader, tugging the ensemble closer to her as she makes the sound of her instrument bob and soar. As the cut goes on, the tempo artfully adjusts like a uncertain coastal storm. It is no slight on Garcia’s skill — indeed it’s a testament to it — to say that the cut comes across as an act of impeccable instinct.

Garcia’s new album, Odyssey, is scheduled for release in September.