There are quite a few bands which spark an extra buzz of anticipation when approaching their new offerings but it is hard to think of many which cause the kind of excitement that a new Jingo song does. The UK band is one which just seems to get bigger, bolder, and more essential with every song; a success reflected in the strength of eagerness to tackle each proposal. It is because of songs like new single Sweet Anne that this almost lustful reaction escapes not only from us but a great many others; and because of songs like this that it is hard to see things changing anytime soon.
London based Jingo have never been slow in sparking big responses to their music, from their early songs like 1q84 and Black Flowers around 2013, through many subsequent tracks and their outstanding debut album The Art of Loving on to the outstanding Ghost In The Machine EP of last year. The band has persistently grown in sound and temptation whilst nurturing an increasingly fascinating weave of flavours into their unique style. Sweet Anne is no exception to the rule and right now as it blasts in ears again whilst finger dance on keys, is declaring itself as quite possibly the finest four and a half minutes of the band’s creative life.
Straight away the song is a virulent persuasion of the vocal prowess of guitarist/vocalist Jack Buckett and his wife and vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist Katie. As the music, the vocal pairing, with Katie a temptress against Jack’s expressive captivation, is a distinctive element in the creative webs cast by Jingo, just as compelling as the sounds conjured. Around their harmonic union in a relatively gentle start by the song, the rhythmic shuffle of Nima Safai and Michael Hussain is just as ear catching. As great as its entrance is though, things only get spicier and more irresistible as a suggestive melody harkens an even livelier flirtatious shuffle with tenacious rhythms colluding with Katie’s dynamic tones as strands of melodic wind enticingly weave around the lot.
The song, like the band’s music generally, is not a proposition to stand still and bask though, it then erupting into a feverish and fiery blaze of rock ‘n’ roll led by the rich vocal flames of Katie’s roar backed as potently by Jack and co in their individually skilled ways. That is not the end of it either, a repeated cycle takes the listener into another passage of rhythmic agitation amidst sonic and melodic ingenuity that only adds to the unbridled pleasure found and devoured.
Jess & the Ancient Ones is a band which our thoughts often turn to as a hint to the drama and adventure found in a Jingo song and sound, and in some ways here is no different yet it is hard to imagine they or any others one might offer in comparison, with respect to each, bringing ears and the spirit to the boil as often and gloriously as Jingo seem to and certainly do with Sweet Anne.
Sweet Anne is out now and streaming @ https://soundcloud.com/jingomusic
https://www.facebook.com/jingomusic https://twitter.com/jingomusic
The single also features the wonderful artwork of Katie Buckett who is holding an exhibition of her portraits at the Lacey Contemporary Gallery in London. Opening night is on 27th April from 6-8 and the exhibition runs until 15th May. More details @ http://www.katiebuckett.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/events/227725037574069/
Pete Ringmaster 20/04/2016
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
For more exploration of the independent and promotional services check out http://www.zykotika.com
It opens with Lowers, an initially low key affair with slowly unwinding rhythms leading ears into the enchanted landscape of vocal seduction and melodic expression. As swiftly though, the abrasing fuel of the band’s sound is potently shaping song and thoughts as the guitars of vocalists Tauna Leonardo and Elaina Tardif, matched by fellow six string craftsman Christopher Klarer, entwine and evolve into darker and harsher protagonists. The track is mesmeric, an absorbing trespass which especially hits the sweet spot when the sonic animus of noise takes over and violates psyche and senses.
Cities Of Gold is arguably even more primal and inhospitable than its predecessor; vocals spewing malice with every syllable and the instantly captivating grooves spreading toxicity with very swing of their body within another tempest of emotional and aural animosity. To that though, a perpetually virulent infectiousness flows and in time, a melodic seduction from keys and guitar which is as bracing and invigorating as the animus of confrontation surrounding it. The opener grabbed ears and appetite, its successor trapped both, and by The Reign Of Tyrants, it is fair to say that band and EP had these ears enslaved. Thrash metal is never too far from the textures of death and extreme metal, and drives the third track with open eagerness, though things soon become a part of A thick tapestry of flavours and rabid intent as unpredictable as it is enthralling. Compared to the previous pair, it also has less urgency to its devouring; a more reserved violence to its assault that only makes it more dangerous and captivating.
Diversity continues to enrich album and ears as the sultry smoulder of The Weed Don’t Lie radiates warm melodic and harmonic persuasion across an exotically textured landscape whilst hugging the increasingly impressing voice and presence of Star before High & The Mighty brings its own individual tempting to bear on the imagination. A web of varied rock flavours from electro to heavy, the song entices like an unexpected mix of Ministry before they went metal, Heaven 17, and Spineshank. The track is another of the peaks of the album matched quickly by the melodic shuffle and seducing of Annie and an excellent spin on EMF’s classic, Unbelievable.
Gates Of Death stalks ears and imagination next. Straight away it prowls the senses with an intimidating and intriguing air as riffs and rhythms venomously collude while fiery grooves lay a web for the impressing vocals to share their narrative. As with its predecessors, there is a real drama to the sound and its presence too which as much as anything goes a long way to creating a powerful persuasion emulated once again in the suggestive melodic croon of Remember The Loneliness. Warm yet melancholic from its first breath, the track brews a more tempestuous climate over time which eventfully sparks an anthemic thrash fuelled canter easy to get a touch greedy for. This is just the first movement of the excellent encounter though, the song continuing to swing through an array of creative and emotionally fired attacks from melodic seducing to volatile ferocity.