Jamie T's long awaited return from his five year absence with his third studio album, 'Carry on the Grudge', has seen his raw and urban take on indie rock n'roll change the perception of those stating the solo artist is nothing more than an over-hyped tearaway from the South West of London that has no substance.
Following his emphatic return to the industry back in July, Jamie announced that his new album, 'Carry on the Grudge', the 47 minute and 12 song masterclass of toe-tapping and mosh-pit sparking tracks, along with some soft and slow ones worthy of a sway or two thrown in for good measure, were to be released on September 29th and since then the Jamie T hype has escalated uncontrolably.
Following a couple of intimate gigs in Glasgow, Liverpool and Portsmouth as well as his secret set at Reading over the Festival season, Jamie had recieved a fair bit of criticism for his change of style, but, since the release of 'Carry on the Grudge', has silenced those doubters and even managed to change the perception of many. 'Carry on the Grudge' opens with the ever growing on you, 'Limits Lie', a beautifully chilled yet incredibly powerful track that soon finds a way of getting the chorus out of you and at some decibels too. Following this, the track that earmarked the return of Jamie T, 'Don't You Find', and the also ever so chilled track, 'Turn on the Light'. 'Don't You Find' was the first track released following the announcment of Jamie's return, and it's fair to say it created an ora of doubt surrounding 'Carry on the Grudge', but, has since grown on the majority of those doubting him. It is clear to see that Jamie has toned it down a tad since the days of 'Panic Prevention' and 'Kings & Queens', and 'Don't You Find' was the instigator as such of this and despite it's early doubt, has proven to be one of the favourties of many with Jamie's new trend of laid back yet powerful tracks proving to warm on people.
'Zombie' then follows, the second single released by Jamie prior to the release of 'Carry on the Grudge', the one of which changed the outlook on the singer/songwriters emphatic return as many of the early doubters then realised Jamie hadn't changed his style ever so drastically. The track, very fitting to the month of the year infact, incorporates the traditional Jamie T style with the new in a brilliant contrast. 'The Prophet' and 'Mary Lee' are up next, two equally as soft and slow yet powerful tracks that each inspire a sing along with a wee sway or two. 'Trouble' then begins to spark a rise in tempo as 'Carry on the Grudge' takes a step back in time. The old Jamie T begins to re-appear from out of his shell.
'Trouble' is a brilliantly catchy and repetitive three minutes of music that leads onto the equally as vibrant, 'Rabbit Hole'. A real time traveller, also around that three minute mark, that once again drills it's brilliantly catchy chorus into you until you're forced to belt it out and once again at some decibels. 'Peter' follows whilst in turn closing the upbeat period of 'Carry on the Grudge', an explosive track about a man who doesn't like much. It opens with Jamie whispering to the mic, "Peter...Peter", before erupting into one of those Jamie T belters we've all been craving for five years. 'Carry on the Grudge' then draws to a close with three once again chilled out tracks that really epitify Jamie's slight change of style and over-due return to the scene. 'Love Is Only a Heartbeat Away', 'Murder of Crows' and 'They Told Me It Rained', each once again of the soft and slow nature, draw Jamie's ever so doubted masterpiece to a close and in a beautifully chilled manner. Of which, is rather unlike the Jamie T we all learned to expect, but it's still blummin' good.
Despite being beaten to the number one spot by fellow singer/songwriter, George Ezra, Jamie T is well and truly, back in the game.
RIFFED's Rating: 10/10
Listen to 'Zombie', taken from Jamie's latest album, 'Carry on the Grudge', and watch it's video via Youtube:
Purchase Jamie T's latest album, 'Carry on the Grudge', via his official store: https://shop.virginemi.com/jamiet/*/*/Carry-On-The-Grudge-Signed-CD-Album-Limited/3FOA0000000
Posted by Charlie Irelan
RIFFED x