Jai Paul Album Review
In a world of quick fixes, overnight sensations and near instant gratification, it’s been a rare pleasure to have been drip fed Jai Paul’s fascinating fractured funk. That is until now, because the wait is finally over. Or is it?
In typical Paul style, his highly-anticipated debut has emerged stealthily, under the cover of darkness, without fanfare. It sits on Bandcamp, modest, waiting for the Internet frenzy to begin.
So now, on a Sunday morning, I find myself fugged and frayed with hangover. The promise of eggs cooking and coffee brewing will remain just that, a promise. I am locked into headphones. I am locked into Jai Paul. And I’m not going anywhere.
Jasmine is still stunning. BTSU is still exhilarating. Paul’s trademark falsetto still pierces. The production is still scatter gun but intelligent, designed, precise – the work of a mad scientist. These gloriously choppy collages are engaging, bursting with vitality at every turn. There are Harry Potter samples, guitar solos, gorgeous pulsing bass lines, noises I have never heard but instantly don’t want to be without.
In a musical week dominated by James Blake and his admirably-conceived carefully-measured miserabilism, it’s refreshing to hear music that sparks and fizzes, jumps around, disorientates, effervesces with playfulness. It is also deeply funky, sensual and soulful. It is quite simply remarkable. Enjoy. Coffee and eggs and many other things can and will wait.
For more new music check out my ones to watch for 2014 or my best albums of 2014