In a world full of over produced and heavily programmed radio friendly pop songs which are chucked out by way of factory it’s absolutely refreshing to be sitting back with headphones on and experiencing “Gold Control”. Lost is the art of the album, the experience of an album. Not here. This is JEEN’s 4th LP this decade and disappoint it does not. In fact it delights. Gold Control glides along the same trajectory as its predecessors while maintaining its own identity. Grunge. Garage. Psych-rock. Punk. Tinges of Shoegaze. Her influences continue to shine as she crafts them into her own vehicle with ease while removing herself from the often times dreaded genre labelling. Hazy, heady, hedonistic and hopeful.
Despite the lyric “It’s all I got inside me” lead single “Just Shadows” which is set for release on 7th July is the perfect first firm foot forward from this luminous ten tracker. It’s quick frantic pace bounces along and transports the listener to those communal sweaty nights in dodgy body packed underground clubs with the band five feet away making all feel as one.
“Hold My Head Up Higher” sees JEEN join creative forces once again with long-time collaborator Canadian indie musician and producer Ian Blurton. Ian has taken the role of co-producer on JEEN’s last five albums and their strength in working together shines on this track. Its swirling chorus shimmers along the flesh and actually induces frisson with ease which is a hard sensation to help facilitate through song.
There will be a total of four singles lifted to promote the album. Another one being the lyrically confrontational “Making Me Mad” which bounds along proudly with two fingers firmly up and an assured sense of one’s older self.
Also slated for single status “So What” just might be the emotional centrepiece of the album. “Can you stay another minute, sit me on the couch, talk to me until I pass out, and if I had it my way, I’d lie there and that’s where we’d stay, don’t wake me up”. It’s hazy dream like longing for connection is emotionally relatable as JEEN’s softer vocals guide us along gently through the moment as if taking us by hand.
Other moments where JEEN really shines include “Good Omen” which crashes about the primal highway in all its fuzzy glory, “Give Myself Away” with it’s dark, ethereal howling echoes and “Rain Low” which finds itself adding a more vulnerable and delicate layer to the album.
Take a deep dive. Settle in. Immerse yourself. It’ll be raucous and aggressive at some points and harmonious at others with promises of a soft landing.
