Jake Bugg
Saturday Night, Sunday Morning
Sony Music
Released : August 20, 2021
After a four year silence, Jake Bugg returns with Saturday Night, Sunday Morning.
There was a time I referred to Jake Bugg as a protégé and the heir to the British rock throne. Bugg was youthful and full of angst and realism, about the turmoil and challenges of growing up on an English estate. A talented young song-writer with his wits about him, about to strum out a rollicking tune while his voice wonderfully expressed his lyrics.
His first two records were utterly brilliant. Heartfelt and earnest, with a sense of street sensibility rarely found in somebody of his age, and it seemed like the only way for him was up. Both his self-titled debut and the fantastic Shangri-la records are among the best rock albums of the decade. Both felt like a new voice in British rock was about to erupt and take on the world.
On his third record, 2016’s On My One, Bugg began to wander a little from the path that had up until this point been his bread and butter. Hints at pop and hip hop were ominous and to be honest, represented the weakest moments of Bugg’s career up to that point. Yet the worst was yet to come.
See Also : Joey Cape “A Good Year To Forget” Review
Now breaking the five four year silence, the longest gap between records in his career, Bugg returns with the follow-up to 2017’s Hearts That Strain. Yet all is far from well. This, Bugg’s fifth studio recording, leaves behind everything that made the man so enthralling, while focusing on music that really is far from his forte. Gone are the fantastic acoustic country-tinged blues rock masterpieces in favour of flavour of the week, by the numbers pop. Weak.
It truly is an awful feeling to watch somebody so talented throw it all away for a stab at the quick buck (or quid in this case). Replete with quirky, computer-built bass lines and soulless backing tracks, Bugg blurts out nonsensical and sterile, typical pop tripe. Gone is the honesty, realism and the street aspect, replaced with radio friendly bollocks that surely should have never seen the light of day.
Worst of all, this is more of a nod or tribute to other known pop acts more than it is any form of original or neo-approach to his sound. From the Adele like romp on Downtown to the faux Billy Idol borrowings on Lonely Hearts, Saturday Night, Sunday Morning is so painfully a cash-grab and a giant two-fingered salute to his entire fan base. There is not a single track worthy of recognition on this entire mess. What were you thinking Jake?
This is definitely one to miss. Jake Bugg’s Saturday Night, Sunday Morning releases on August 20th through Sony Music.
For Fans Of: Adele, Billy Idol, U2
Track Listing:
01. All I Need
02. Kiss Like The Sun
03. About Last Night
04. Downtown
05. Rabbit Hole
06. Lost
07. Scene
08. Lonely Hours
09. Maybe It’s Today
10. Screaming
11. Hold Tight
