The Jayhawks
XOXO
SHAM
After 35 years together, The Jayhawks appear comfortable with their place in music. The quintessential jangle pop group, no one has personified the genreβs revival like The Jayhawks. And yet, 35 years later, nothing much has changed.
In their new LP, XOXO, itβs a true group effort. Years after losing one of their key members in Mark Olson, fellow singer Gary Louris, usually taking centre stage, steps back and lets his colleagues have a turn at the mic. Karen Grotberg, the master of the keyboards, gets to highlight her harmonies. There are a lot of Byrds, a lot of funky β70s Stones, and a lot of Wilco-esque songs–but thatβs what The Jayhawks are all about.
Thereβs an eeriness to the album, an almost ghost town feel at the chaos the world has been through these past months. In the acoustic opener, βThis Forgotten Townβ, Grotbergβs harmony meshes against Lourisβs laid-back vocal. βWhen we were young,β they sing, βwe were judged by the choices that we made.β In songs like the reverb-laden βDogtown Daysβ, the LA story of βBitter Pillβ, or the many iterations of the surreal and chilling and Grotberg-sung βRubyβ, thereβs a ton of emotion throughout the songs on the record. Thereβs a hint of a gentle southern rock solo, through all the harmonies and hi-hats.
In spite of the gloom, thereβs also a bit of fun. In the adequately-named βLiving in a Bubbleβ, Louris sings, βwhat am I to do, just another day at the zoo.β βLittle Victoriesβ is a song revolving around a catchy bass riff and funky harmonies. Itβs a fantastic song, eventually involving a twangy guitar solo. Itβs an alternative rock jangler thatβs completely Jayhawks.
XOXO is a record that alternates the experimental moments with tenderness, which is something The Jayhawks have always done best. Itβs comforting to know that as things start to change, The Jayhawks donβt.
ArtistΒ Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE JAYHAWKS – XOXO
King Dawit