Rob’s Album of The Week: Gary Clark Jr.’s JPEG Raw
While rooted in Texas blues, Gary Clark Jr. is always expanding his artistic scope. The Austin native pulls this off by incorporating elements of soul, rock, funk and hip hop along with hints of other styles. It’s inventive and innovative while also providing an enjoyable listening experience. This is one of the reasons why he’s one of the top songwriters in music today and his fourth studio album JPEG Raw that came out on March 22 via Warner Records is the latest example of his talents. This release finds him revisiting his roots while blending in a jazz and R&B aesthetic.
While taking the lead on the majority of the album, Clark Jr. also brought a few other artists into the fold. This includes Memphis singer-songwriter Valerie June, London R&B vocalist Naala, jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold and a couple legends in Stevie Wonder and George Clinton from Parliament-Funkadelic. Each of their inclusions give a nice variety within JPEG Raw. At the same time, nothing strays too far away from the sonic foundation that’s consistent from start to finish. This is what I enjoy the most about this album, there’s a lot to offer the senses but it’s done in a well thought out manner.
Spring is officially here, but it surely doesn’t feel like it up here in New England. Winter’s chill is still prevalent and it’s even worse with the intense winds that are blowing around all over the place. I think it’s fair to say that a lot of folks around this part of the United States are pretty ticked off at the groundhog for saying that we were going to get an early spring back in the beginning of February. Anyways, let’s hope it warms up soon. In the meantime, chill out and check out my top tracks off of the Album of The Week:
With an atmospheric beginning that borders on psychedelic and orchestral, “This Is Who We Are” morphs into a rhythmic banger that oozes charisma with Naala’s talents being included. I always love it when a horn of some sort is intertwined into the arrangements, so it’s obvious that I feel the need to mention “Alone Together”. Harrold’s trumpet adds a perfect jazz vibe while Clark Jr.’s vocals come in at a higher pitch. “Habits” closes the album out while walking the fine line between being a soul ballad and a flurry of electricity.
Clark Jr. has an extensive tour of North America and Europe happening in support of his new album later in the spring and into the summer. This expedition will be starting at the Will Rogers Auditorium in Fort Worth, Texas on May 8 with other notable dates on this side of the Atlantic being May 16 at The Factory in St. Louis, May 21 at The Fillmore in Detroit, May 26 & 27 at History in Toronto and June 7 at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston. When he gets to Europe, Clark Jr. is going to be in France, Italy, Germany and other places, which you can keep tabs on via the tour page on his website. For now, grab a copy of JPEG Raw and give it a listen. It’s a record that pushes the creative envelope in peculiar ways.
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