- Label
- XL
- Release date
- 22nd June 2009
- Genre
- Pop
- Buy this album
- Order CD
Lily Allen’s pal defies the snobs in stunning pop reinvention.
In 2007 when a group of London artists emerged with Brit School/MySpace connections (Lily Allen, Kate Nash, Adele), Jack Penate was one of the last to make it under the barrier before the gravy train left – Remi Nicole, Natty and countless others were left on the platform. Penate delivered several hits and seemed likable but there was something deeply unsubstantial about his busking, public school indie pop.
What a surprise then, to discover this stunning reinvention.
Everything Is New may have taken 18 months of hard labour with producer Paul Epworth but the results are some of the freshest, life-affirming, wondrous pop songs of the past few years. At the heart of the sound is a speeding afrobeat, chilled tropicalla and Penate’s strained, yearning vocals – Be The One, Today’s The Day and So Near are the kind of summer songs that will make you want to crack open the Bacardi and start a limbo contest regardless of your vicinity to a beach.
Better yet are the album’s slower, atmospheric downbeat moments – for all it’s highs the album’s stand-out is the dreamlike haze of Every Glance.
Penate has distilled the paranoia and wonder of being young and confused into a triumphant, fabulous pop record.
More to try:
Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend
Guillemots: Red
Maccabees: Wall Of Arms
Golden Silvers: True Romance
