Here’s a mobile link to the song that US folks may recognize from a Gatorade ad (no clue if it is used internationally):
I had heard of Jake Bugg and this song prior to the commercial and liked it. But I was on a long plane flight recently that had music to listen to, including Jake Bugg’s self-titled CD.
It’s very good - I get the impression that Bugg has been hyped a bit in the UK, so may be old news there - but here’s what I care about: The songs are good.
The chords are simple but the lyrics are well-crafted, with edginess and wordplay. I can see where a lazy listener would simply jump to Bob Dylan, but that’s not what’s going on. Bugg writes catchier tunes, with clear verse/chorus structures and very hummable/memorable choruses - he wants to be popular and writes songs that can support that. And his lyrics are word-smart, but are focused about getting out of his dingy town, or feeling like an outcast - he doesn’t pack layers in but rather is more direct.
His slow songs are solid, so you get a good blend across the whole CD. Consistently good from end to end. Recommended pretty highly.
Anyone else? If a UK’er can add any context regarding Bugg’s rise and/or rep there, that would great. He may be hyped, but his material holds up.
Quite likely most people’s exposure to Jake Bugg in the UK is from a TV ad for beer (Greene King IPA), and from an appearance on Jools Holland’s TV show.
He’s one of the few artists I can bear to listen to these days.
Update: I got Bugg’s new CD, Shangri La - produced by Rick Rubin at his studio (CD is named after the studio).
To my ears, it is another excellent CD. Great songs, a punkier edge - more Clash in the mix. And some Oasis; Bugg sounds like Liam Gallagher with his nasal bray - his voice is a great instrument he can use to croon or snarl. Simple, well-crafted, direct - sing-along choruses. Nice slow ballads.
I play it end-to-end - solid. Here’s a YouTube link (mobile) to a sampler -I haven’t listened to this clip through…
I dunno how I missed this thread the first time, but I agree with the OP. I haven’t heard much off the new record yet, but what I have heard is as good as the previous one.
I don’t really know where folks get the Dylan impression. He sounds nothing like Dylan to me. He sounds much more like the Rolling Stones, but no one would confuse him with them, either. I’m going to have to get his new record if someone doesn’t give it to me for Christmas.
