Jack Penate - Everything Is New

The title is the first clue. It seems Jack Peñate wasn't unaware of the critical arrows aimed his way last time around and has pretty much disregarded his first album as compromised, tainted by external meddling and ultimately the work of “a kid”. A bold stance, but given his association with a particular time and place it's maybe a good move to clear the decks and actively distance himself from that regrettable mockney singer/songwriting fling (even if the U.S. is currently falling for Adele).

'Everything Is New' is declared as the work of a man in control of his creative output, the result of twelve months with producer Paul Epworth (Bloc Party, Friendly Fires) at his home studio. First listens reveal a definite broadening in scope: gone is that (former trademark) itchy guitar, replaced with a multitude of new and interesting sounds, tempos and rhythms. Still present are his multicultural magpie tendencies, bringing a fair spattering of Caribbean, African and South American flavours to the mix.

First single 'Tonight's Today' doesn't sound dissimilar to production playmates Friendly Fires, Peñate's ghostly voice and highlife guitar lines enhanced by handclaps and mass choral chanting come a pleasantly sunny chorus. Album opener 'Pull My Heart Away' is a lush mid-paced lament regarding the end of a relationship, comprising a curiously downbeat beginning to this venture. Thankfully it works, and is a nice, suitable entry into this new Peñate world. Other highlights include the title track, the stripped down 'So Near' and the meditative 'Every Glance'.

For all this talk of radical new beginnings, 'Everything Is New' is a fairly accurate progression from Peñate's exuberant (if one dimensional) beginnings, and displays that he has a fair few cards up his sleeve.

7/10