Jack J Hutchinson, its fair to say this I think, is an artist on the rise. He hit a creative peak (maybe that should say “high” because who knows what the peak will be?!) when he released his “The Hammer Falls” album in the late winter.
Now eight months on he’s back with the “What Doesn’t Kill You” EP. Four tracks, three of which that are/were (delete as you see fit as it still feels like a “current” record and not one that “was”) and one new one.
Normally you’d write this as your next line “and we’ll start with that one”. But there’s something about Jack J that makes you up your game to match his. So forget the norm.
The fact is that these three songs – “What Doesn’t Kill You (Only Makes You Stronger)”, “Down To The River” and the title track of the last one, sound kind of the same, but the best way I can put it is this: I had a BMW X1 once. It was fine. The footballers drive round in an X5. There’s a reason.
And if the logical conclusion from that is that JJH now belongs in the Premier League (or Championship if you prefer like my lot) then that’s not a leap.
For the re-record he’s fetched in Kevin “Caveman” Shirley to work with him and the band. Don’t know who he is? Well, I am sat typing this in a Black Star Riders t-shirt. He’s produced them. Yesterday I’d got an Iron Maiden one on. Yep, them too. Black Country Communion, Black Crowes (we’ll stop now, but you get the point.
What he’s done is propel everything. Turbo charge it, if you like. Supe it up. So “What….” Is now arena ready, the chugging riff of the wonderful “…..River” now is a flood of noise that has fetched a Corrosion Of Conformity vibe out. The title track, likewise. It has something….extra. A class, a belief.
The “new” song. “Days Of Thunder” is more of the same, but there’s a menace in the groove, but there’s a hook to the chorus, an energy. One that suggests that JJH isn’t anywhere near done.
I wouldn’t dream of insulting the full length record (I gave it 9/10 for a reason) but this is almost the sound of games being changed. One of the best, brightest talents in the UK right now, here’s Jack J Hutchinson with his best. So far. Nothing is off limits at this point.
Rating 9.5/10
