JJ Smith – 28 Club (2022)
JJ Smith is drawing on experiences we all face in our daily lives for the tracks of 28 Club. Using his addictive fusion of folk and rock, he moves through sombre reflections to the spark of memories and the endless loop of worries that we have all been caught in at some point. While there is a rather personal edge to many of the tracks, the core of each is a moment that is so universally human that we can all relate to them.
Funded by a Kickstarter campaign that saw friends, family and strangers rallying behind him, this EP offers a look into the trappings of an artist’s life. Since he started writing music at age 13, Smith has been honing his skills and sharpening his prowess on the electric guitar. This has led to him playing at venues such as Uncommon Ground in Chicago.
The EP opens with ‘Still’ and an addictive strum of the guitar that effortlessly pulls you into the track. While addictive, there is a sombre darkness to the low levels of the guitar-driven melody. This creates a movement that is like the building of a storm, which perfectly reflects the battle playing out in the vocals. Smith’s performance rises on the turbulent currents of the melody, only to glide with a sense of freedom. The storm of the track that has been brought to stunning sonic life is addiction and the fight people go through to avoid sliding back into the destructive behaviours that offer momentary freedom. The orchestral touches to the melody meet the driving guitar, to further illustrate the inner battle of addiction and other unhealthy behaviours.
‘Splint’ has a softer and more melodic feeling to the guitar opening. The notes dance around your head as they lead you into the soft, almost rain-like, movement. There is a reflective feeling to this track that offers you a moment of solace after the turbulent storm of the opening track. The instrumental track also showcases the prowess of Smith’s guitar playing as he tugs at your emotions, while offering you comfort at the same time. A shorter track, it is a delightful reprieve that shores up your strength for the rest of the EP.
There is a bluesy vibe to the opening of ‘Every Time’ that perfectly creates the reflective vibes of the track. The strings that hum in the low levels add depth to the soundscape, letting you retreat inward for some serious introspection. The vocals have the same powerful feeling as the opening track, as they delve into the dark thoughts that we have all confronted at some time. Through the lyrics, Smith pulls us into the loop of worries and woes that we can easily get caught in. The melody is relatively stripped back, with just the guitars and strings forming the melodic movement. This makes the reflections of the lyrics more poignant and relatable.
‘Doorbell’ has a guitar roll that pulls you into the track, without any effort. The vocals have a sombre feeling to them that brings a heavy hit of melancholy to the track. This is enhanced by the melodic movement that carefully reaches into your chest to tug at your emotions. You can feel the sadness that follows a failed relationship where you are slightly detached from what has happened. As you sink into these emotions, the vocals consider how mundane things in life can spark a memory that fills you with the melancholy of having lost something wonderful. Through the lyrics, you are taken from the start of the relationship to the end, revolving around a doorbell that rings in the final moments of the track.
The EP comes to a close with ‘Should?’ and the light creeping movement of the guitars. There is a progressive feeling to the opening that seems to lead you into a foggy soundscape. The vocals have a folk vibe as they call out to your soul and fill you with the questions of the lyrics. Smith brings a complex mixture of emotions to this track, as you reflect on hardships. The stripped-back vocals create an emptiness through the guitar line that creeps into your soul, while the vocals weigh on you like a sombre blanket. It is a really powerful single that gains a touch of rock as it progresses with the electric guitar riff soaring out against the darkness.
JJ Smith brings a tumble of turbulent emotions to fantastic guitar skills that keep you hooked to 28 Club and the relatable experiences reflected in each track. Each of the singles carries the power of Smith’s musicality, as his guitar playing draws you into the melodies. His vocals create a wonderful depth to the tracks as he reflects on various experiences.
Find out more about JJ Smith on his website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
