Despite taking half a decade between releases, Jamie T maintained his career momentum with a more mature comeback album in 2014.
The songwriter from Wimbledon hasn’t dawdled over his fourth record, which has a potent urgency across 12 tracks – from the opening Tinfoil Boy, it’s clear Jamie T is back to his spiky best.
Trick has the quality control of Arctic Monkeys, while demonstrating a dizzying versatility that takes in explosive rap (Drone Strike), anthemic punk (Tescoland) and a smattering of summery dance-pop (Dragon Bones). On the gripping urban narrative of Solomon Eagle, he somehow manages to draw all these disparate elements together.
The Clash are an obvious influence on the ragged tune Robin Hood, though Jamie T has plenty of his own ideas on this rich and rousing album. He’s getting better and better.
(Virgin EMI)
