Trampolene frontman Jack Jones released his eponymous debut solo album on Friday. Julia Grantham took a listen and concludes that perhaps every adult needs a Jack Jones song to guide them along the path of life.
When I first heard that Jack Jones was releasing a solo track, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Having been an avid fan of Trampolene ever since I saw Tim Burgess recommend the band to his fans on twitter many years ago, I was intrigued by what Jack’s solo material would be like. Breathe was the first song I heard and what struck me straightaway was how different it was to Trampolene. Exploring new electronic territory and putting the band’s trademark guitar sound to one side, what we have here is an entirely new, refreshing and contemporary vibe and one which is as fresh and appealing as it is apt and relevant to life today in 2024.
I recognised instantly that this was not the sound I usually like. Listening to it initially felt out of my comfort zone, and yet at the same time, I loved it. And having reflected on this, I loved the fact that it pushed me to like something new that I might never have discovered before.
In a world where people can make songs like fast-food chains put together burgers in a dull, homogenise the world with mass-produced blandness kinda way, Jack Jones has chosen to make music with a raw, passionate meaningful message, and has released songs which have the potential to make a genuine difference to people's lives and I love this album for that.
Chris Hawkins, Radio presenter and DJ has described the album as “a hugely accomplished poetic debut album”. He’s right, and I agree wholeheartedly and yet somehow it is so much more than this. I would describe it as shining beacon of hope for the youth of today, and I really hope it reaches as many people as possible because this album’s message is just far too important not to.
The album opens with Make It So which has a slow, wistful introduction. I like how the instrumentation is stripped back at the beginning, so you can really feel and hear the lyrics. Written during covid and those dark early days of lockdown which we all endured, this song seems to rise up and shine like a beacon of hope. You can almost feel the desperation of trying to find the positives in such an era of uncertainty. I love the juxtaposition of spoken word for the verses and singing for the chorus in this song. And despite the darkness the line “Bless this chance, you have to grow and make it so” rises up and gives a sense of hope.
Have you ever had a mental health condition? Or experienced any mental health issues? Did you feel comfortable talking about it or seeking help? When I first heard Breathe I loved the openness of it, its transparency and the fact that it speaks up about things which some people find hard to talk about, or admit to. It’s a song about panic attacks, addiction and the pitfalls of addiction. It sends a message that drinking excessively or taking drugs is ultimately not a good thing and I think what I love most about this track -aside from the fact that it’s an irresistibly catchy tune- is the fact that it really speaks to people. Young people don’t want to be spoken down to by some authoritative figure telling them that drink and drugs are bad for you. But put that message in a cool new song, make a video and tell like it is by someone who’s been there? People are gonna listen. I also loved it cos reminding everyone to take big deep breaths when they need to feel grounded or are feeling panicked is really important. There are so many reasons to love this song. It’s also just a really good melodic pop tune even if you don’t care about what it’s all about! Although I’d argue that you should and share it with your mates too.
Gladys is real dancey little number, perfectly packaged and disguised as such. But scratch beneath the surface and the words tell a story of being in a dark place, and despite seeking help, nothing really changes. Gladys is a therapist that isn’t really helping and as such, the song is full of frustration. I love the line about music being a healthy distraction. Have you ever felt that if everything else is going wrong in your life, music is always there for you? I think what I like the most about this track is that you can appreciate it on so many different levels. I know not everyone listens intently to lyrics as I do, and if that’s you this song is also just an extremely cool dance track.
Peaches Out Of Reach is a great song for when you’re in a reflective mood. Jack’s vocals are really pronounced here, and the poetry overflowing. It’s best listened to with a cup of tea or a glass of wine during a moment where you can just sit and really hear the song. I gazed out of the window and let all the words wash around me the first time I heard it as it takes you on a journey and makes you think about what it was like to be young, when life was easy and revolved around having fun. You wouldn’t even need any music to accompany this song, it could be performed as a spoken-word piece because there’s so much being said here. However, it works really well with a musical backing and I love the repeating sequence which accompanies the verses. The jingly sound of an old skool mobile phone acts like a nod to the past, fused with the present.
Another stand out track for me is MDMA Day which depicts the addictive nature and highs and lows of taking drugs. It’s a very honest song which doesn’t glamourise drug taking, but rather spells out the cycle of wanting and craving something which ultimately makes you feel rubbish. I like how it serves as a warning to others about the reality of being hooked on drugs and doesn’t shy away from really telling it like it is. The repetition of the lines “May day may day it’s MDMA day” signify a siren, a warning, like a cry for help. It’s a very powerful song and I love it. Poetry and prowess in equal measure on display here.
I absolutely love the title of Dumbphone clearly a parody of ‘smartphone’. In a world where addiction is all around us, whether it be drink, drugs or gambling, we’re all addicted to our phones. We need them, hate them and love them all at the same time and this song is all about the nature of how we use and abuse our phones and how they can drive us insane with how addictive they are. My favourite line in this song is: “Lost in a sea of comments and selfies, how is this shit meant to help me” Have you ever felt like this when scrolling through social media on your smartphone? Cos I know I have. This song takes the notion of something we all own, and lays it bare, rips it up, tears it apart and exposes it for what it is. I think this is perhaps one of the most powerful songs on the album.
What You Waiting For? Is a beautifully poignant song. It opens with a simple keyboard sound and initially has quite a retro 80s or early 90s feel to it. It’s a song about lamenting the past and regretting past behaviour. It seems to be about self-discovery and realising what you need to do, but not knowing how to get started. I love how Jack uses the same line over and over again in his tracks sometimes to really emphasise the meaning in his songs. The title line is sung repeatedly like a mantra almost, encouraging you to just go for it. There are so many reasons to listen intently to this song. The lyrics are everything on this album.
Love & Tears is perhaps my favourite song on Jack’s debut and a gorgeous one to end the LP with. This is a very personal song, about the death of Jack’s grandmother but also celebrating her life. It’s a wonderfully touching song, opening with the delicate sound of a piano, making it a beautiful contrast to the electronic sound of the rest of the album. When the piano gives way to the gentle sound of acoustic guitar, Jack’s voice is soft and full of gratitude. This song pays homage to those closest to him, serving to remind us to keep our loved ones close and appreciate everything they do for us. Where would we be without the people that love us? This song is about that.
This album and all the tracks on it are very 2024. It’s modern, it’s fresh and it explores the pitfalls and perils of modern living. Each song tells an important story, making you feel like you’re not alone in feeling the way you feel. I watched a video called “Every kid needs a champion” recently, which is a Ted talk by Rita Pierson. If every kid needs a champion, perhaps every adult needs a Jack Jones song. A song that speaks to you and helps you to realise that others feel like you do, and that you’re not alone when life gets tough. Please take a listen to this album. You never know what it might just do for you.
Jack Jones is on Facebook and Twitter.
He tours the album at Bury Wax And Beans (September 23), Leeds Crash Records (24), Southampton Vinilo (25), London Rough Trade (26), Glasgow SWG Pottery Club (November 2), Liverpool Jacaranda (3), North Shields Three Tanners Bank (6), Manchester Yes Basement (7), Cambridge The Six Six Bar (8), Shrewsbury Albert And Co Frankville (9), Bristol Exchange (13), London Old Blue Last (14), Swansea Bunkhouse (15) and Cardiff The Moon (16).
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