Jack Peate - Spit At Stars EP (XL)
4/5
By: Michael Cragg
Despite being name-checked in 'LDN Is A Victim'- a song satirizing the recent spate of 'mockney' London types taking over the British music scene- Jack Peñate has yet to receive the kind of press afforded to fellow 'victims' Lily Allen, Mike Skinner or even the relatively box-fresh Plan B or Kate Nash. Whilst Allen reacted angrily to the song, taking particular umbrage at the mention of her middle class roots, Peñate simply stated that he thought the tune was 'wicked'. Such a laid-back attitude suggests the kind of guy who can take a joke and whose music is there to show talent instead of supporting a burgeoning career in vitriolic put-downs via his MySpace page!
Having released his debut single 'Second, Minute Or Hour' through the Young Turks label late last year, Peñate signed with XL soon after. Buzz has slowly been building ever since, finally culminating in a well-received support slot for Amy Winehouse in February. Live, Peñate is all twitching limbs and pent up energy, his guitar sometimes in danger of being thrown into the crowd through sheer exuberance. It's this electricity that he's managed to bottle up brilliantly on the title track of his new EP. Bursting out of the tracks and coming to a breathless finish two minutes later via a beguiling stop/start guitar rhythm, in a just world it would dent the top ten, but may have to make do with playing second fiddle to the less talented members of the 'mockney' crew.
Of the four other tracks only 'Cold Thin Line' sustains the pace set by the opener, Peñate choosing to slow the tempo down and display every side of his musical personality. 'My Yvonne', featuring Adele on backing vocals, is a bruised, yearning guitar ballad, showing off Peñate's brilliant falsetto, whilst 'Didn't I' hints at a sixties doo-wop influence to great effect. Only 'Jack Of All Trades' fails to impress, it's key line "Jack of all trades/ Master of none" a statement he may come to regret so early into his career. But it's a minor quibble, and not enough to tarnish what is an exceptional start to a bright future.
Stream 'Spit at Stars' HERE.
Artists in this article: Jack Penate
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