Jack Garratt - 'Phase'

7/10

As this year's winner of the BBC Sound Of 2016 poll, all eyes have been firmly locked on this album since the beginning of the year. And while his live performances and singles so far have certainly earned him that place as this year's most hyped new artist, his debut album 'Phase' seems to show even more angles to his talents as he tries to break away from the singer-songwriter motif that has been following him so far in his career.

Even after just a few tracks, it is clear that Jack Garratt isn't comfortable sitting in the same place for too long. While we have seen solo artists use loop pedals and drums machines to create the sound of a live band in their performances, Garratt uses them to give the appearance of a whole new artist in front of them each time. The result is a wildly diverse debut album that has trouble really setting itself on a given path. The eclectic array of sounds and influences make it hard to really get settled into this new release and show that he is still looking for that sound he wants to call his own.

While it has its issues, it is still an incredibly impressive record. Keeping much of it on the electronic side, 'Phase' is certainly the envelope-pushing release we were all hoping for. But without a focused direction, it is more a collection of songs than a cohesive album.

More Reviews

EP: Com Truise - 'Wave 1'
10 years 10 months ago

8/10

ALBUMS OF 2013: Top 10-1
10 years 11 months ago

10. Savages – Silence Yourself

ALBUMS OF 2013: Top 20-11
10 years 12 months ago

20. Factory Floor – Factory Floor

ALBUMS OF 2013: Top 30-21
10 years 12 months ago

30. Laura Mvula – Sing To The Moon

ALBUMS OF 2013: Top 40-31
10 years 12 months ago

40. Ryan Hemsworth – Guilt Trips

ALBUMS OF 2013: Top 50-41
10 years 12 months ago

50. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Mosquito

EP: Memory9 - 'Red Falcon'
11 years 1 day ago

As one of dozens of new producers looking to make their mark on the world's electronic music stag

EP: Bipolar Sunshine - 'Drowning Butterflies'
11 years 1 month ago

When you first hit play to uber-hyped Bipolar Sunshine's latest EP 'Drowning Butterflies' there i