For fans of: Arctic Monkeys; Oasis; The Vaccines; Miles Kane; Bob Dylan
Earlier this evening (23rd September), Radio One's Zane Lowe unveiled rising indie icon Jake Bugg's new single 'What Doesn't Kill You' as his "Hottest Record In The World". And it's, er, an interesting new effort that we haven't exactly heard from the Nottingham native before.
At first when you hear it, it gives off a "what the actual fuck is this?" kind of vibe, and you kind of wonder if it was intended to be a real good rock-and-roll-hell-yeah kind of song but, actually, he turned out to have recorded it whilst drunk so it sounds a bit shit. (He didn't really record it drunk by the way, that's just what it sounds like.)
On a second listen, I found the catchy (and exquisitely performed) riffs go round and round in my head, almost magically like they'd hypnotised me, or something. His vocals didn't seem as poisonous as they initially exhibited themselves to be. The lyrics are actually weirdly memorable and maybe if I too were drunk, this is the kind of song I'd record.
For a third listen, I decided to watch the video (released only hours ago) for the track. It opens with a parental advisory warning (which actually made me laugh a lil bit until I think I heard someone shout "I'M GONNA FOOKIN KILL YA JAKE and I was a tad worried??? I mean, that's what I think I heard...), and then a 32 second monologue bursts into our ears. We hear Bugg talk about just how street his debut album is and how tough life is. He also explains how his new track is all about escaping from the darkness of the world. Sehhhhh indie.
By the third listen, and after seeing the super-cool 60s style cut of the video, I think I am a little bit in love with this song. Maybe it's the addictive shrieking or the fact that I wish I could play guitar as awesome as he can. Nevertheless this is a song that will no doubt grow on you in anyway it can, like an annoying infection. It's also very early-Arctic-Monkeys-ish which is something I greatly miss.
It's the lead single from the singer-songwriter's forthcoming second album titled 'Shangri La', to be released on the 18th November through EMI Records. The name originates from the producer Rick Rubin's studio hidden away in Malibu, California where it was recorded throughout this year. 'Shangri La' is the next album to follow 2012's critically-acclaimed, Mercury Prize nominated self-titled debut which has reached platinum status in the UK.
In February this year, I saw his sold-out show at Shepherd's Bush Empire and it was completely fantastic. Besides the fact that he's a bit of a mardy little grump, he puts on a wonderful show. It fascinates me how an individual can hold a crowd with only the accompaniment of their guitar and he did it so well. There's no doubt that he will go far even though he comes across as a bit of a twat (he has been hanging out with Noel Gallagher so can you really blame him?) because he's one of the few raw talents who actually packs a punch.
SEE JAKE BUGG THIS YEAR AT ONE OF HIS 100% SOLD OUT DATES ACROSS THE UK
