It’s been a little while since I’ve heard any really great new blues music. You know the stuff, the music that feeds you soul and bubbles over with passion and heart. So I was really excited to stumble across the self-titled EP from Sydney’s Gareth Jay.
The opening track “Fiend” had me from its intro with its acoustic guitar and rich harmonica. Once his husky voice entered the mix I was sold. This song just oozes sex.
The follow-up number, “Crave,” kept me enamoured. If the lost love this song was written about didn’t go back to Gareth after hearing it she’s crazy. I think I’d forgive almost anything if anyone was inspired to write a song like this for me.
The heartbreak continues with “It’s Not Me, It’s You.” It covers familiar ground but Gareth is so talented that it feels fresh.
“Why Don’t You Just” feels like it’s come out of America’s Deep South rather than the streets of Sydney. It’s swampy and raw and oh so good.
The closing track “Tempt Me” has a real organic, spontaneous energy. It feels like the sort of thing you might expect Gareth to improvise on stage with his bandmates, unpolished and honest.
After listening to all five tracks I had to play them again. And then again. What a wonderful introduction to this talented musician. I expect massive things when Gareth Jay releases his first full-length album this May.