London-based blues rock guitarist & songwriter JACK J HUTCHINSON‘s newest album, ‘Battles‘, due for release on 9th February 2024 was recorded at Momentum Studios in Plymouth and was produced and co-written with Josiah J Manning (Kris Barras Band, Inglorious).
As we have previously noted, Jack’s style is characterised by powerful rock guitar and strong, anguished vocals that we have described as “thrillingly epiphanic.”
The rock star is at his most vulnerable on this newest album, which is filled with the energy of closure and reconciliation, and the ability to let go of pain. Jack gains much strength from this achievement. In terms of musical composition, lyrical depth, and of guitar performance, the songwriting here feels more sincere. It’s about using a voice and instrument to express an emotional connection to a difficult world.
a sophisticated & darkening exploration of interior mechanics…
Raw Ramp Music Magazine
Bullets (the Kris Barras directed music video is shared below) is a vigorous power-drive of impassioned guitar and rambunctious vocals, with scallops of lengthwise riff, and cobbles of thrilling-drilling rhythm. The song is about winning battles (perhaps battles against onesself!)
Constellations is an ozzie-fest of springboarding riffage, dynamical vocals, and the sort of muscular rhythms that set champions apart from underdogs. Yes, this is a juggernaut of smoky purposefulness, yet the song never backtracks on perceptivity and the fragility of our shared human condition. A competently presented piece of deeply felt rockmanship!
Days Are Gone is a sophisticated and ever-darkening exploration of interior mechanics, with silverwing vocals and allegator-edged, firebitten, guitar jags.
The final (and longest) track on the new album is the sublimely depicted Stay With Me, that has seductively delicious vocals and a sensuously waltzing verse-structure. This is compassionate, hardworking, and conscientiously perceptive and it’s a song that brings to mind Get a Grip era Aerosmith.
Hard blues-rock with nuance and feelin’. Very highly recommended!
Words: @neilmach 2024 ©
Photo Credits: Rob Blackham
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