Jax Hollow - 'Only the Wild Ones'

The opening track ‘Wolf in Sheepskin’ is a slow-burning morning-after blues song with a truly great guitar tone as Jax builds up a howling rage against the “sedation” of domestication and concludes that she’s better off alone. The follow-up single, ‘Ethereal Emerald’ is apparently at least partly inspired by her favourite green guitar and she uses it to roll off a jigging riff and an incisive solo. “Wallflower Girl in Bloom” is another signature song – a gentle acoustic number with rustic banjo and fiddle accompaniment. Jax loves a metaphor and opacity in her lyrics so it may be either a love-letter to another lady, an expression of self-love or something else entirely but it’s intriguing and beautifully written and it certainly works.

An under-current of sensuality runs through the album and things take an overtly sexy turn as Jax reveals her wild side with a dude in blue denim on the lustful ‘Ride or Die’. Later on, a sultry jazz-like number details erotic adventures with ‘The Ventriloquist’ and there’s some peeling back of petals in the more restrained “Stepping Stone”. In 2021, Jax released the ‘Underdog Anthems’ EP, recorded with Michael Wagener, which showcased her authentic rock-chick credentials but this collection feels more personal and perhaps better reflects her true soul, although she does rock out in fine style on the excellent ‘Renegade Season’ which rides like the wind and really gets the foot tapping. It also features a great guitar solo and highlights how good a musician Jax is – she previously studied at Berklee before moving South.

The awesome ‘Whores and Heathens’ might just be the finest late-night dive bar drinking song ever written. It’s got the feel of Sheryl Crow’s ‘All I Wanna Do ‘, but more atmospheric and fabulously darker as Jax invites you to “dance with your demons; all the whores and heathens rock their body like they’re taking a fence – even if the rhythms in your head”. Or is it “taking offence”?

The title track ‘Only the Wild Ones’ which closes the album is a poignant signature tune which is picked out delicately with accompaniment from a melancholic fiddle. Surely auto-biographical, it is a gossamer ballad about an introverted girl leaving home to find her voice, her people and her music. It really is a beautiful song and should be compulsory listening for wallflower girls everywhere.

This album has layers and gets even better with repeat plays. It features elements of country, blues and americana and the quality of the musicianship is eclipsed only by the depth and virtuosity of the song writing. Jax has learned her craft and paid her dues and, if there’s any justice left in the world, this album could be ‘Tapestry’ for Gen Z.