Blog Post
Jack J Hutchinson - 'Battles' Release date - 9th February 2024, Earache Records
Review by Kevin McCallum • 29 January 2024
There’s a definite cool vibe about the persona and style of Jack J Hutchinson. He’s been on a mixed journey both musically and personally over the last few years and when I track back that history, it throws back at me his resilience, drive, ambition and honesty.
From his early days as a renowned visual artist exhibiting in London, through the darker years of battling his arthritis through extensive long term physiotherapy and then the challenges of battling once again, but this time against alcohol.
He’s a fighter, pure and simple.
Let the music and songwriting be the catalyst to push him through. So here we have it, four studio albums already launched, from the debut ‘Feathers and Fools’ (2013), ‘Paint No Fiction’ (2017), ‘Who Feeds The Wolf’ (2019), ‘The Hammer Falls’ (2022) he hits us square on with the latest release ‘Battles’ launching on 9th February 2024 on Earache Records.
Overall and without doubt he clearly lets his music do the talking. In this latest release he’s worked once again extensively with Josiah Manning in both a co-writing and production perspective. Recorded at Momentum Studios in Plymouth these two talented guys have brought us a ten track album that is a more than worthy follow up to his 2022 release.
‘Constellations’ is a full on power rock belter of a track. Big guitars, fast paced, punch the air lyrics, absolutely the perfect choice to be released as the first single from ‘Battles’. Sets the scene perfectly to introduce you to this album or indeed if the name Jack J Hutchinson is new to you, the quality of Jack’s work.
After the critical acclaim from the release of the single, the follow up single is this one ’Days Are Gone’. Definite LA vibe to it, probably not surprising as Jack wrote it in the shadows of the Whiskey.
‘Bullets’ is one of my favourite picks from album. Great guitar work, catchy melody and powerful lyrics that typify Jack such as ‘…there’s a battle to be won’ although I’m not sure if its interpreted as ‘…there’s a battle to be one’ , each are equally translatable given his drive and resilience.
The musical pace slows you right down to ‘Road To Hell’ but the lyrics keep your mind moving quickly, again we share Jacks story told through his music.
‘Running On Empty’ has a bit of a bluesy vibe to it, has some of the best solo guitar work on the album and would be a great track in a live setting.
Power chords launch you into ‘Rip It Up’, wouldn’t be out of place in some of the more hard driving rock bands that are around the UK just now. Love the guitar solo work here, my favourite track on the album.
Jack describes the next track ‘Love Is The Law’ as inspired by Paul Weller, I get that totally, top drawer songwriting.
‘Don’t Let The Fuckers Get You Down’ the honesty is in the title, its obvious. AC/DC-esque catchy series of guitar lines thrown in to it, it echoes how this man drives himself on.
As we reach towards the end of the album, there is no let up in the quality on offer here from Jack with ’Overdrive’, catchy melody, distinct and haunting guitar tone. It was written on one of Bowie’s acoustic guitars. I’m sure that the great man himself would tip his own hat in Jacks direction with this one.
Last track ‘Stay With Me’ has bits of everything in it. Big vocals, fast and slow guitar work, tremendous lyrics yet again. This guy puts his life on display in his lyric writing.
You can feel the hurt in Jacks songwriting on this album, but you equally feel the drive he has to fight back, move on and succeed. Ready to take on anything else that gets thrown his way. He’s a fighter pure and simple. He’s walked a long and hard road but keeps moving on. Much respect to you Jack on delivering this great album.
Kevin McCallum