SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GARY CLARK JR. – JPEG RAW

GARY CLARK JR.
JPEG RAW
WARNER MUSIC

Five years ago, Gary Clark Jr. established himself as one of the most impressive creative forces to emerge in the last decade with his impeccable opus, This Land. Since then, the anticipation for his fourth studio album has been palpable. JPEG RAW is a stunning release that feels like a natural extension to all Clark achieved on This Land as he continues to challenge himself and his band as both a songwriter and performer.

Opening with “Maktub”, JPEG RAW is an immediately captivating album. The jangly rocker sees Clark’s rhythmically weaving guitar dance around his smoky voice, lush gospel backing vocals, and an array of percussive drums. “Maktub” is both seemingly unlike anything Clark has written before, while remaining incredibly distinctive to his sound. The following song, the album’s title track, continues Clark’s need to not be categorized. “JPEG RAW” sounds as though it was recorded live in a vintage jazz club, following lightly swung drums, gentle guitars, and a warm piano. This shifts in a chorus which sees the band shift to a heavy, distorted riff that emphasises the downbeat, transforming the jazz hall into an underground club.

Front to back, JPEG RAW is a true musical marvel that sees Clark continue to push the boundaries of the rock genre into fresh and exciting territory. “Alone Together”, for example is a stellar combination of sleek R&B in the style of Prince, featuring a jazzy, muted trumpet, performed by Keyon Harrold, and driven by a J Dilla beat that is ever so slightly behind and yet so deep within the pocket. Furthermore, “Hearts In Retrograde” is an absolutely mean rocker that is equally sludgy as it is groovy, which is then followed by an anthemic, meter shifting bridge section. From the jazz balladry of “To The Ends Of The Earth”, to the cold electronic beats of “Triumph”, or the intensity of “This Is Who We Are”, Clark crosses genre boundaries with ease, making a cohesive and organic record. Additionally, Stevie Wonder’s feature on the light but brisk rock of “What About The Children” and George Clinton’s feature on “Funk Witch U” both shine as very strong collaborations while seeing Clark hold his own side by side with a pair of the greatest musical presences ever. JPEG RAW is an exceptional album that is certain to thrill with every turn.

There is no doubt in my mind that JPEG RAW will be among the most important records of this year. More importantly, however, his latest album sees Clark continue to evolve the blues and rock for the modern world and a changing audience. JPEG RAW is a musical odyssey of unbridled creativity and absolute brilliance as Clark pulls from pop, jazz, funk, and hip-hop as a way of elevating classic rock and blues in a way that demands cultural relevance. Truly, Gary Clark Jr. remains in a league of his own as he continues to pioneer a soulful and innovative post-genre sound with JPEG RAW, a record that should influence the course of popular music for decades to come.

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