ALBUM REVIEW: JJerome87 - The Canyon

There is something peculiarly surreal about hearing the unmistakable tones of Joe Newman outside the milieu and alt-pop, art-rock hums of Mercury Prize winning band alt-J. On the heels of almost two decades as the voice and frontman of one of British indie’s most distinctive bands, Newman has stepped out alone, trading alt-J for the rather more cryptic moniker of JJerome87. 

Photo Credit: Zachary Gray

Recorded in Los Angeles with producer Carlos De La Garza, ‘The Canyon’ feels like a vibrant, living character created in the backdrops of California where its sun-bleached landscapes, sprawling roads and sense of endless possibility all penetrate into the music. The album swaps alt-J’s intricate indie-electronic constructions for something warmer, stranger and steeped in Americana, psychedelic pop, soul and blues. Newman’s voice remains unmistakable, but the surroundings have changed completely.

There’s an appealing sense that Newman is enjoying the freedom of not having to make every decision with a band. ‘Mr. Alligator’ is a bluesy, Southern-Gothic opener that displays Newman’s vocal range working stunningly layered with the backing vocals. ‘Walkaway Music’ and ‘Brush Me Like A Horse’ install the Californian inspiration with the former providing cinematic surf-rock and the latter offering a catchy Spaghetti Western eccentricity. This freedom occasionally gets the better of him: ‘The Canyon, can feel overstuffed with ideas piled on top of ideas. Yet its ambition is difficult to resist. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5irRXygfyLo&list=RD5irRXygfyLo&start_radio=1

One of the album’s highlights is when a tender moment of delicate intimacy is brought into the fold through ‘Two Hearts’. Soundtracked with sweeping strings and the sound of Newman’s pregnant partner obtaining an ultrasound scan, this intimate subject matter is beautifully handled with Newman’s diverse musicality. ‘The Canyon’ is Newman embracing uncertainty: a vivid, living world shaped by California, fatherhood and fresh eyes, pointing towards an exciting new chapter.