Jon McLeod – Jesus Is My Vaccine (2021)
Drawing together elements of alternative rock, folk, indie and blues, singer-songwriter Jon McLeod has a, shall we say, genre-defying sound. After a decade (give or take) working in the music industry on various projects, McLeod has chosen to embrace a solo endeavour. Alright, he was performing individually as The Focussed Distraction, but now operating under his real name, the UK-based expresses a more raw and honest sound. Featured on BBC radio stations, notable global blogs and online playlists, the talented McLeod is building a loyal following as each day passes. The latest addition to his discography is ‘Jesus Is My Vaccine’.
Following his two-track EP The Valuable Sign (read our review here), ‘Jesus Is My Vaccine’ adopts a more folk-influenced melodic approach as compared to the previous synth-laden material. The guitar-driven acoustic track highlights McLeod’s fingerpicking skills alongside the interspersed piano, fiddle solo and steady drumming bassline. While there is no real hyped-up “in your face” melodic arrangement, the harmony between instrumentation and McLeod’s gruff vocals is powerful. This innovation just strengthens the idea that simplicity can be hard-hitting.
What I find interesting is how the smooth melody collides with the poignant conceptual content. Always one to focus on a larger framework, ‘Jesus Is My Vaccine’ is “…a song written about Trump supporters, evangelical “bible belt” preachers banishing COVID through your TV screen and a story read during early lockdown about a south London church busted by Trading Standards for selling COVID protection potion.” I’m not one to judge and I doubt McLeod is either, but ‘Jesus Is My Vaccine’ has both an objective and sentimental profoundness. It is as if McLeod is using a conversational tone to share his thoughts, experiences and observations in the current social climate.
Intriguing, eclectic and intoxicating, ‘Jesus Is My Vaccine’ has an intimacy in its kaleidoscopic soundscape. A bit controversial, it is not only entertaining but thought-provoking as well.
For more from Jon McLeod check out his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
