Jamie T and Me. (Album Review)

I find it quite difficult to describe Jamie T as an artist. He's not someone you can box into a set of expectations because, until you listen to his music you can't get a proper understanding. Sat in my garage in the summer, waiting to hear Jamie's first single on Radio 1 after his 5 year hiatus; I explained him to my Step-Dad as "a bit jack the lad-y, a bit rap-y and quite indie/rock-y?." And then Don't You Find aired, and he looked at me like "are you sure?".

After obsessing over Panic Prevention and Kings and Queens - Don't You Find made my ears prick up. It wasn't what I was expecting, and I was sceptical about what the album would be like but I still liked it and was just grateful to have some new material from him.

I pre-ordered the album, as soon as I'd got back from Reading Festival, where I was lucky enough to see his secret set (which was absolutely mental) I was definitely not disappointed upon it's arrival.

I feel that with Carry On the Grudge, Jamie let his guard down and there's an essence of vulnerability. This is introduced straight away on the opening track of the album - Limits Lie. Some of my favourite tracks on this record are the ones where you're treated to a softer side of the Jack the Lad. The Prophet, Mary Lee, and Love is Only a Heartbeat Away are my favourites of that sort.

This being said, I'm not saying that he's turned into a wet paper towel. He's still got his edge and fierceness about him that he's so famous for. After the emotional Mary Lee, Trouble picks the pace back up. Rabbit Hole reintroduces you to the Jamie T you remember, but still shows progression since his If You Got The Money days.
When I think about how shocked I was to first hear Don't You Find, I know it was the perfect single to release, out of all of them. I'm not saying that Zombie isn't a great song, but Don't You Find's purpose was to cause shock and to make people listen - he wanted to show that he was going in a new direction. I don't think that the album is miles and miles apart from his previous albums; he's still got that fire to him but I think Carry On The Grudge shows his maturing as a person, and his evolution as an artist. I love this album and rate it 4/5.