Jake Bugg, The Dome, London, gig review: An unexpectedly riotous return for the northern star
Bugg has progressed into delta blues, dance synths and even northern soul raps
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Your support makes all the difference.Jake Bugg's sound is developing as he proves to surprise us tonight with songs from his third album, On My One.
Convinced attaching himself to a variety of genres and showing more versatility in his songwriting, Bugg has progressed into delta blues, dance synths and even northern soul raps. "Love, Hope and Misery" is a bold departure with it's funk guitar groove and synth strings, while moodier skiffle song, "Lightning Bolt" is already a strong fan favourite
Placed between older numbers like "Country Song" and backed by an unobtrusive three-piece band, the 22-year old finger picks his guitar to the album's title track and sings, “I’m a poor boy from Nottingham / I had all my dreams but in this world they’re gone."
Bugg mutters to the room “I don’t like dancing,” before "Never Wanna Dance" and with its down-tempo R’n’B beat it's certainly a provocative departure from more straightforward tracks like "Trouble Town."
As Bugg tiptoes out of his comfort zone there's still the usual between-song mumbling but musically he's offering a lot more. From the tender "Song About Love", to the Weeze's retro-rock stylings on "Gimme The Love" there are sharp lyrics and the choruses ain't half bad either. An it's an unexpectedly riotous return for the northern star.
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