Annie and The Jays are a female-fronted five-piece, who capped off a triumphant first year together with the release of a five-track EP called 'Dusk'. Featuring their three single releases and two brand new tracks, this debut EP serves as an omnibus welcome to a band that do so many things right.
'Dusk' opens with their first single release. 'If You Wanted You Would', a song that the band describes as being themed around love, lust and insecurity. What is instantly striking about this track is how immediate it is - no overlong twenty-second intro - the bright guitar tone sets a scene of serenity and frontwoman Annie's frankly amazing vocal drives 'If You Wanted You Would' into the territory of sophisticated rock. 'Too Shallow' is a break-up song that demonstrates vulnerability and earnestness. The acoustic sound and fast tempo, which is a great touch as it may have been tempting to let the song be recorded at a much slower pace - provides a slight contrast to the other tracks here. 'The Understudy' is a beautiful anthem. Heartfelt and lyrically sublime, it has a class rarely seen, with all due respect, at this early level of a band's career. 'The Understudy' would not be out of place on say, an Adele album, it is that well written an emotive. 'Shipwrecked' is, as the bands says, the end of a relationship. Nicely produced (the finger click sound is a great touch) this track is reflective throughout the verses before making way for a more intense chorus that has shades of just enough attitude in the lyrics and delivery. The EP closer, 'Drifting Out' embraces the piano and this arrangement really lets Annie's vocal take a hold of the song. Incredibly poignant, this is true storytelling and a sombre yet beautiful way to end 'Dusk'.
Annie And The Jays aren't an indie-rock band. It may be on trend to want to be described as such but they are a pop band, a modern day The Corrs would be a fair comparison. Passionate songwriting and strong song structure are the bread and butter of this band as as such, they have released a debut EP that quite frankly, is timeless.
Annie And The Jays took to the ground running with their debut single. 'If You Wanted To You Would', which helped propel the band to healthy listenership. For such a new band, they have carved a fanbase that is impressive. The honest lyrics of their songs, (confessional, hearts worn well and truly on the sleeve) and an altogether sincerity has no doubt helped to ingrain the band into people's consciousness. In 2024. Annie and The Jays played the legendary King Tut's in Glasgow and sold-out The Voodoo Rooms, twice. We eagerly await new music and hopefully a year of gigging and festival appearances. For now. these five tracks on 'Dusk' are more than enough to sustain.
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