SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JJEROME87 – THE CANYON

JJEROME87
THE CANYON
MUSHROOM MUSIC | VIRGIN

Alt-J frontman Joe Newman transforms, chameleon-like, into JJerome87 for The Canyon, his solo debut, and his music goes with him. Never one to miss a chance for innovation, Newman sets his stall out immediately with lead single “Mr. Alligator,” a menacing blues romp that opens the door to this album’s originality.

That follows through on almost every track; the sound is very earthy and bluesy, with a great grounding in rhythm and soul, but it also has its weird moments, even within tracks. You get the best idea of this on “Quaaludes,” which transforms from a gospel sing-along, exploding into a nostalgic chorus. Strangeness abounds, with “Juicy” possibly the zenith of that – it’s just plain odd, a bit gospel, but mostly done in a cult-like whisper.

There’s more conventional fare, too: “Walkaway Music,” with its backing jangle and typical structure, has some Springsteen feel to it, and manages to keep the strangeness at bay.

There are sweet, nostalgic moments that help close off the album, as well. “Two Hearts” is a lovely song, dripping in sugar and nostalgia, while “Pennine” is a suitably reflective ending, calling back to Newman’s beginnings, and that of Alt-J, at Leeds University. It’s a real showing of Newman’s growth as an artist and person, and while it has its bumpy moments, it’s a solid solo debut. Let’s hope we see a little more in the future.

Artist Links