ALBUM REVIEW: Just Like This! – Small Jackets

Just Like This! has been seven years in the making for SMALL JACKETS. Forming in 2000 and releasing their debut album Play At High Level four years later, the band have been through many different line-up changes over the past 21 years. With vocalist/bassist Mark Oak taking over lead vocal duties from Lu Silver who parted ways with the band in 2013 due to creative differences, the now four-piece present a long-awaited follow-up to 2013’s IV.

Comprising nine songs, Just Like This! is a fantastic mixture of funk and rock. Opener Midnight Town announces itself with a bang, as a funky guitar riff starts the song off. Oak‘s vocals are at the top of their game as the confidence practically melts through the speakers. It is a fantastic opener, and shows that, despite a large gap in albums, the band are back and better than ever.

Getting Higher continues the streak of success, and this time borrows influences from the 80s, especially GUNS N’ ROSES. However, the band make it their own by throwing in some TINA TURNER influences for good measure. For most bands, this would be a recipe for disaster, but SMALL JACKETS are pros at this and the different genres do not affect the pacing of the album.

This winning streak continues with Next Level, a MOTÖRHEAD-esque track, followed by Breakin’ The Line, a fast-paced country rock song, and an experimental electronic track called Funky Crunchy Woman. Again, all this genre-hopping would not work on most albums, but with SMALL JACKETS it’s different, and the core root of the song is always funk-rock. This is the key when bands decide to switch things up – sticking to their core sound and branch out.

Movin’ On starts off with a frantic piano solo that continues throughout the song. The use of different instruments show that the band are not afraid to mix things up. The piano adds a flair of jazz – yet another genre to add to the stirring pot.

SMALL JACKETS are back and better than ever. They have expertly mixed different genres together without losing sight of their core sound. It is great to see a band have confidence and stay true to themselves, especially this far into their career. Even through they have sounds that are influenced by other musicians, there is always a twist, which is refreshing because it shows they are always looking for new ways to remake familiar sounds. This album should appeal to both old and new fans of SMALL JACKETS. It is for anyone who adores classic rock music, funk music or country music – there is something here for everyone. A fantastic album from an excellent band, Just Like This! was worth the seven-year wait.

Rating: 9/10

Just Like This! is set for release on December 17th via Go Down Records.

Like SMALL JACKETS on Facebook.