Review: JAWS - Be Slowly
By Ethan Forness, Contributor
[SideOneDummy; 2014]
Rating: 8/10
Key Tracks: “Gold,” Think Too Much, Feel Too Little,” "Surround You"
Imagine if 1960s surf-pop and revered legends The Cure had a child that inherited the best of both worlds while adding funky, trippy synth-pop to the mix. Now imagine that child as an indie-pop quartet from Birmingham, England that calls itself JAWS.
JAWS presents a sound the world didn’t know it wanted until the release of Be Slowly, their outstanding debut effort. Founded in 2012, JAWS are a relatively young group but have built a strong following with a handful of successful singles and a pair of EPs (Milkshake and Gold) leading up to the release of Be Slowly.
“Be Slowly,” the album’s title track, is the best representation of The Cure’s influence. JAWS definitely pull inspired sounds ranging all across the musical spectrum.
"Cameron” employs a style of instrumentation in combination with soft wailing vocals in the background eerily similar to the style of Jim James and My Morning Jacket. The tracks “Gold” and “Think Too Much, Feel Too Little” share a sense of familiarity with current indie rock/pop groups Sir Sly and The 1975, further expanding JAWS’ horizon of influences.
JAWS are carried by a sense of confidence in their musical identity, showcasing an extremely polished and balanced sound that even veteran bands struggle to achieve. Tracks like “Think Too Much, Feel Too Little” are pure ecstasy for the ears, highlighted by rhythm and guitar work that contrast surprisingly well with Connor Schofield’s slightly nasally, overly reverbed vocals.
JAWS are careful not to overwhelm eager listeners by finding a tasteful balance between synth- and indie-pop on tracks such as “Swim” and “Surround You,” which present themselves as equally pleasant surprises.
It’s truly a shame Be Slowly is making its debut in mid-September. The weather is beginning to chill, the leaves are slowly changing and stores are replacing summer items with Halloween decorations and foods associated with the cooler months. As opposed to the current season, Be Slowly screams summer with every note and would be an ideal summer album with just enough synth-pop for a good change of pace.
As far as debut albums go Be Slowly may be one of the best in recent memory. A handful of singles and a pair of EPs had the band marked as “a band on the rise.” Be Slowly could easily land on everyone’s year-end best-of-the-best list and represents JAWS are making progress in leaps and bounds.
