Review
Jack Peñate's second album, "Everything Is New," dropped in 2009, and it's a huge step up from his first, "Matinée." This indie rock album, produced by Paul Epworth, really shows off Peñate's range and soulful voice, which has more in common with Edwyn Collins or Terry Hall than with someone like Jamie Lidell. The album is full of different influences, especially in songs like "Pull My Heart Away," "So Near," and "Be the One," all of which dive into various soul music vibes.
The title track, "Everything Is New," feels like a fun, lively house party with its mix of polyrhythmic beats, strings, and harps. Then you've got "Body Down," which is more of a chill jazz-rock tune with some cool backwards vocals and a wild space guitar breakdown. Peñate also brings in some West African funk in tracks like "Tonight's Today" and "Give Yourself Away," and it blends in really well without feeling forced.
The album even gets a bit moody and experimental with tracks like "Every Glance" and "Let's All Die," but it keeps things sophisticated. Critics loved "Everything Is New," with rave reviews from places like AllMusic, The Daily Telegraph, Drowned in Sound, The Guardian, musicOMH, NME, The Observer, Pitchfork, PopMatters, and Rolling Stone. It hit number 16 on the UK Albums Chart and number 45 on the Scottish Albums Chart. Overall, "Everything Is New" is a well-made, interesting album that really highlights Peñate's growth as an artist. - Victoria
