The catchy album opener All I Need suggests that Britain's Jake Bugg was hanging on to the 60s sound of his early days this time around. The country influences of the Nashville-recorded predecessor
Hearts That Strain (2017) have also been largely pushed into the background. It seems like Bugg doesn't really want to embrace a set style this time around, but that also means the album sounds less like
… one than previous work. Pop, rock 'n roll and even stadium rock alternate, with very variable results. The ballad-like Downtown, for instance, doesn't quite seem to fit into his repertoire. It lacks the sharpness that usually characterizes his oeuvre. The electronically tinged Lost is another oddity. It's the songs in which you can still recognize his older work that work best. Jake Bugg once again confirms his status as a musical chameleon, although this time it's more of an unbalanced effect. (JvQ)more
