An album with gratifying yet cautious development...
Aside from a few low-key collaborations, Jamie Woon has largely been absent for nearly a decade. His 2015 album ‘Making Time’ showed a clear advancement from his debut, ‘Mirrorwriting’, earned a Mercury nomination, and seemed poised to propel him to great heights, but then… silence.
During this time, the music industry moved forward. Woon’s garage-influenced post-dubstep was celebrated in the early 2010s, but that feels like ages ago. The musical landscape where James Blake was the newest sensation from London and The xx had just delivered the most talked-about British album in years represents a different era entirely.
So, it's understandable to have mixed emotions when listening to the first track, ‘All the Way.’ While the haunting, multi-layered vocals reminiscent of a ghostly presence remain, the percussion has been replaced with acoustic guitar. It’s natural for an artist to grow and change, but is this truly how we wish to welcome him back?
However, as ‘3, 10, Why, When’ unfolds, it becomes evident that the first track was misleading at best. The intricate beats, uniquely English style of neo-soul, and the warm electronic sounds are still very much present. On standout tracks like ‘When’ and ‘A Velvet Rope’, it becomes clear that no one captures the essence of a 1am journey on the N28 to Wandsworth quite like Jamie Woon.
‘3, 10, Why, When’ presents a challenge in assessment, as it prompts reflection on what we anticipate from artists after a long hiatus. Straying too far from your signature sound risks losing the essence that made you distinctive. Conversely, adhering strictly to one's established style can make it feel like there's been no growth artistically. ‘3, 10, Why, When’ navigates between these two views, with both advantages and drawbacks. At times Woon experiments with new sounds, while at others, he reminds us of his exceptional talent in his established style. Yet, some tracks don’t leave a lasting impression, as if he’s being overly cautious or has become prone to overthinking after his time away.
While ‘3, 10, Why, When’ may not reach the heights of ‘Making Time’, it’s worth noting that very few albums do. Perhaps we should simply celebrate his return. The music world is undoubtedly better for having Jamie Woon back.
7/10
Words: Joe Rivers
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Other than a few subtle collaborations, Jamie Woon has been nearly absent for nearly ten years. His 2015 release, ‘Making Time,’ marked a noticeable advancement.