It took me a while to get familiar with Jack O’ The Clock’s expansive, imaginative artistry. Even then, one could argue that I am not truly familiar with them – I have only merely accepted the idea behind their eclecticism. The American group is rather extraordinary: boasting a decade-long career, the talented outfit is most known for pursuing the darkest frontiers of Americana, constantly oscillating between acoustic, minimal offerings and punchier, fuzzier episodes.
‘Portraits’ is a winning chance to experience Jack O’ The Clock in seemingly lighter settings – although that’s perhaps still a fictitious wish, considering the nuanced, vivid storytelling behind the songs. That said, the album does feel more open and welcoming. The project’s latest effort, ‘Portraits’ embraces a sunnier take on Americana and Folk formulas, while showcasing the richness of timbres and compositional influences.
Opening with ‘Josephine’s Fresh Cuts’, the album catapults us into a wonky, sunny aural universe, one where acoustic guitars reign supreme. ‘I’m OK, You’re a Shithead’ is decisively more expansive, with fiddles next to indie-esque melodies, all packed together in an unlikely marriage of intents. The surprising thing is that it all works.
Packing a whopping 17 pieces, ‘Portraits’ deserves time and care. Speaking about the record, Jack O’ The Clock’ explains: “It presents a collection of bite-sized, slice-of-life, mostly first-person portraits of individuals ranging from childhood to old age, bound up in the quietly desperate particulars of their lives.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Portraits’ on Spotify:
