In our fifth article of this week, Sophia Bonner reviews of one of her favourite albums. Take a read to see what it is that is so striking about Jake Bugg’s debut release, and why it might be worth casting yourself back to 2012 by giving his stunningly simplistic sound a listen.
When asked to pick my all-time favourite album, I struggled immensely. There are so many amazing albums out there worthy of merit for equally as many different reasons. To help, I was given the advice to review the album that changed my outlook on music most dramatically, and without need for a second thought I concluded that Jake Bugg’s self-titled debut album was the best pick.
This album, released in 2012, opens with the classic ‘Lightning Bolt’, the first song I ever heard from Bugg. I remember sitting at home on New Year’s Eve when the song came on TV and I was instantly intrigued to find out whose song it was; it was unlike anything I had ever heard before. This is where my love for indie rock and alternative music began. The song is played wholly on one string with three chords, which I found very impressive, proving that the process of writing a good song doesn’t always have to be complicated or even very technical. Some of the best songs have been written on a whim. The following track,‘Two Fingers’ — a song about growing up — is another example of that, with Bugg saying it was a bit of a fluke, like most of the songs on this album.
‘Simple as This’, the fifth track, paints an image of the uncertainty of life. Jake wrote this song at the point where it had just been confirmed his label wanted to release his first album. This moment, although bringing with it joy, also brought uncertainty, leaving Bugg anxious about whether he would really have a successful career in the music industry. The song is immersed in irony, showing that the journey to success is not always as simple as some may think. This sweet, melodic track becomes a transition in the album, followed up by the acoustic ‘Country song’.
One of Bugg’s most popular songs comes after: ‘Broken’. Seeing this live is always a highlight, as the stillness of the crowd, stopping to appreciate the uniqueness of Bugg’s voice, never fails to create an atmospheric, peaceful feeling in the room that makes this performance so memorable once the gig is over. As a result, it is one of my favourite tracks to listen back to. This song took longer to make than the others, he wanted it to be perfect as the longest on the album, and this commitment clearly paid off.
The album later takes a change in tone with ‘Ballad of Mr Jones’. Although not based on a true story, the track creates an eerie feeling as Jake muses about a fictional scenario in which three men get away with the murder of a man’s wife. Quite easily, this is the darkest song on the album. A gentle mix of slower numbers fill the space between here and the end of the album, allowing Bugg to conclude tranquilly with ‘Fire’, a song that went straight from being recorded on his phone to being released.
Jake Bugg’s eponymous debut album showed listeners just how talented he really is. Whether it’s from upbeat, rockier tracks to acoustic ones that mesmerise the listener, this album is one that showcases impressive ability. To this day, the simplicity of the album is why I appreciate it so much. Bugg’s care-free attitude, and somewhat ‘moody’ stance, might be the source of ridicule amongst critics, but here they only make the album even more impressive. Proof, if ever, that great music does not have to be the product of great amounts of thought and detail; it can just be a boy and his guitar writing and singing about real life.
Article: Sophia Bonner
Editor: Alex Sheriff
