Out Now
Jovi Skyler has just released his sophomore album, Unpopular, a collection of songs gathered from traversing the world and life experiences. Unpopular was also mastered in Seattle by The Godfather of Grunge, Jack Endino, (Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney). How much does that influence the music?
Let’s see.
Opening with Dead Rockstars the parallels with bands like Nirvana can be drawn from the opening notes, but in a genre where Nirvana are the undisputed kings, how can that be a bad thing? The track follows a fast paced, energetic guitar riff that lays the platform while Skyler lays angst ridden vocals over proceedings with enough by the way of restrained apathy to perfectly capture the intended mood.
Hermit is up next, and opens with a tempered groove sporadically ruptured by an eclectic mini guitar run bfore settling into a steadier pattern. The chuggier riff intermittently interjects throughout, adding a different element and sense of urgency in parts, making a clever contrast to an otherwise well rounded song. Outcast follows and is much more up beat and frenetic with a blistering guitar lick dominating the sonic landscape. This is still essentially a grunge fuelled track but also has moments of musical happiness that normally fly in the face of the genre. But Skyler makes it work, layering swirling sonic patterns with a grunge underbelly to great effect.
Breakdown opens with a tempered guitar run before the vocals kick in amongst feelings of anger and resentment beautifully captured by the controlled chaos anifesting around it, while Lazy Daze has more of an up-tempo pop punk vibe about it. So far Skyler has managed to flesh out all of his songs by sprinkling moments of fun amongst the usual sorrow associated with grunge music, elevating his music beyond structured expectation into a realm of its own.
Edie Sedgwick is a more even paced number, with a steady musical score keeping things on an even keel. Again, it is much more up tempo and cheery that expected and further showcases the limitless boundaries inherent in music – if you have the patience to look. Anarchy In The Cellophane is more of a radio friendly rock track, complete with well placed guitar breakdowns and vocal harmonies that scream for acceptance.
Shame opens with a quit dose of guitars that continues as Skyler eases into vocals, strains of loss and sorrow dripping from each word. It is yet another variation on the grunge genre, working just far enough outside of the lines to create a sound and feel that, while paying obvious respect to where it comes from, is also unafraid to explore new territory. Get Around is deliberately sloppy to begin with, a mess of drums and guitars taking us back to the heyday of grunge, complete with moments of light and shade that generally defer to the darker sides of humanity.
Album closer Night Time Is My Time could be the life mantra for most of you reading this and the track starts with a burst of energy as if to emphasise the point. The track is a touch sporadic in parts, with massive vocal harmonies sitting amongst more punk infused moments of cheekiness that are offset by a steady drum pattern that anchors the track. It is a fitting way to end a sonic journey that, while being heavily grounded in grunge, is also an exploration of sounds that compliment the genre beautifully.
