Do you ever wish that there were more singers out there who actually sounded as if they enjoyed making music? These would be the artists who aren’t afraid to be more than a bit optimistic about the impact that they hope their music will have upon the people who listen to it. With hearts that are unscarred and emotions running about willy-nilly, they simply want to share their zeal for life with the rest of the world. It’s the musical equivalent of a newly married couple - their smiles, words, and facial expressions emanate this beautiful, no-strings-attached love, and while the bitter amongst us might snigger at their naïveté, their bliss strikes us with a twinge of jealousy.
And with the release of his earnest and demonstrative debut record, Matinée, South London resident Jack Peñate has evinced himself to be such a songwriter. Song after song rings loud and proud with the desire to bring smiles to faces and warmth to the cockles of even the coldest, most jaded pop fan’s innards. There is a palpable dearth of cynicism on this album - Peñate seems incapable of pessimism and even his most melancholy tunes possess hope for the future. Standing in unequivocal opposition to the emo-punk-pop drivel that dominates radio stations and pseudo-indie playlists, his sound is this brilliant mix of Buddy Holly-esque rockabilly, Sam Cooke soul, and early ‘90s Britpop goodness. With tracks like “Spit At Stars,” “Run For Your Life,” and the recent British chart-climbing single “Torn On The Platform,” Peñate has hewn a collection of tunes that will start feet a-dancing and hearts a-loving.
-- Adam P. Newton
