NEW EP RELEASE
jxck - down by the tracks
jxck’s latest EP, ‘down by the tracks’ is a moody 11-minute-long musing on ‘situationships’ and the confusion and indecision that they result in. Everything about this EP is geared towards an expression of that, from the songwriting to the production to the artwork.
The EP sticks doggedly to its subject matter as jxck wanders through reflections on letting go of destructive relationships, regret and longing over bad decisions, being stuck in an unhealthy loop, and finally coming to the realisation — read: resignation — that some relationships are just not worth it, no matter how much you may desire them.
Released by TDP Music on 19 January, the EP is solidly lo-fi indie slow-core pop, characterised by minimalist instrumentation and lashings of broody and sombre emotion, which is key here.
jxck’s vocal is placed front and centre with a high pitched distortion from a vocal bender effect, and each track has a muffled reverb slapped on it like a stuffy head cold. The listener feels the inability to make a decision and act. The words are there but you just cannot reach them.
The opening track, ‘Destroy Myself,’ is a melancholic ode to self-preservation and not wanting to watch a lover destroy themself and result in your own annihilation. ‘Window Screen’ follows, and you can feel the longing and regret welling up like a heavy tear. Whist ‘Golden Casket’ throws the listener a bit of a curve ball. It is cryptic and poetic and seems to hint at hopelessness, but it’s meaning is elusive.
‘Fine On My Own’ ends the EP on a relative high note. jxck seems to bring the confusion and helplessness of the prior songs to an end by saying that he is fine on his own and doesn’t need to indulge destructive relationships. It is more upbeat than the other tracks, albeit reluctantly.
Overall,the EP plays with atmospheric instrumentation, detuned pianos, vocal benders, doubled vocals, and punchy drumbeats to convey feelings of disorientation and longing. The lyrics have a rough and loose structure with little punctuation.
‘down by the tracks’ is short and well produced. Even with little formal lyrical structure, each song is poetically written and balanced. Definitely an artist to watch!
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