Jet frontman Nic Cester releases his debut solo offering the wistfully eclectic ‘Sugar Rush’. Opener and title track ‘Sugar Rush’ has a sewn together experimental edge that catches, releases and then recaptures the attention. Cester’s voice is still crystal clear albeit a tad restrained. The Jazz, improv, loops and Latin styles are all subtly woven into the fabric of the album to produce a diverse aural experience.
Lead single ‘Eyes On The Horizon’ plink blinks into early morning yawning life as it laconically slurps that first caffeine hit, the early sunrise energy fails to materialise and the track has a decaf taste, it’s almost there it just lacks a little body. ‘Pischebello’ waves a twirling experimental tye dye pashmina as it’s Beatles Ravi Shankar phase goes head-on with headlight flashing World Folk. The legendary larynx gets a workout on the 6 Music friendly ‘Hard Times’ while ‘Strange Dreams’ lands somewhere between a sermon and The White Stripes set against a backdrop of drum loops and delicate keyboards and the result is just stunning. ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ vibrates like Teleman hugging Hot Chip before an all to brief and transfixing ‘On Top Of The World’. Roadhouse Blues are gloriously celebrated and then nailed to the emotive crucifix on ‘God Knows’. Both ‘Not Fooling Anyone’ and ‘Little Things’ have a slightly Rockier bite as the album draws to its conclusion.
‘Neon Light’ flickers with sexual suggestiveness before final cut ‘Walk On’ meanders along the musical Compostela before exploding like faraway fireworks. ‘Sugar Rush’ is a fascinating debut of contrasting styles which lacks Jet’s Rock ‘N’ Roll verve and that may disappoint those looking for something with a little more oomph, however, in parts it’s still utterly breathtaking.
NIC CESTER
SUGAR RUSH
WintermnandGoldstein.
7.5/10