Jake Bugg 'On My One' review

Image: Jake Bugg 

The reinvention of Jake Bugg for On My One was one of the most anticipated new albums of the year with everyone wondering how Bugg - an artist with a double-platinum debut album to his name - was going to replicate his previous successes.

The news of an upcoming third album from the 22 year-old ignited speculation amongst the press; Bugg claimed he wanted his new album to be “different” in an interview with NME. Die-hard fans became apprehensive of this new release becoming an out-of-character attempt to remain ‘popular’.

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However those fans can rest easy, with the majority of the tracks on the album not being too dissimilar to his original style: loose, blues-tuned guitar, and songs sounding like they originated from the heart of 1960’s Tennessee.

‘Livin’ up country’, ‘On My One’ and ‘All That’ all demonstrate that Bugg is still firmly in touch with his country roots that won the nation’s heart back in 2012.

Although many tracks display what fans would view as ‘classic Bugg’, he has definitely managed to achieve his aim of a ‘different’ album using hip-hop vibes on the album's most likely chart topper ‘Gimme the Love’ (listen below); a jazzy middle-eight in ‘Don’t Wanna Dance’ and ‘Ain’t No Rhyme’ even features his own take on rap. 

You could be forgiven for assuming he has been moulded into a pop creation of Mercury Records. However, he has actually managed to create a new, fresher brand of Bugg whilst still retaining his distinctive country style. Additionally his laid back Clifton swagger seems to suit rap surprisingly well.

Although flattering, Bugg has now broken free from everything he disagrees with in music: everybody being a slight reinvention of someone else. He can no longer be dealt this complementary burden, as there is not one other artist out there who dabbles with folk, hip-hop and rap simultaneously.

He can’t be accused of blending in with the crowd as he is not a reinvention of any other artist, he is simply a reinvention of himself, and it’s brilliant. 

Jake Bugg appears at T in the Park taking place from Friday 8th - Sunday 10th July: Find Jake Bugg tickets

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