More about: Mr JukesBarney Artist

It might seem a bit predictable: lead singer of a teenies indie band breaking away for a solo project to ‘explore their own sound’, but when Jack Steadman froze his membership to the Bombay Bicycle Club and started making music under the moniker ‘Mr Jukes’ he was building on an extensive back catalogue of exciting solo work (some of which is still available on Mr Jukes’ soundcloud). With several years of experience under his belt, and a very healthy address book, Steadman was able to deliver a stonker of a debut solo album, packed full of far-flung musical flavours and powerful guest performances.

Four years later, after a fifth album with the Bicycle boys and an accompanying tour to boot, Mr Jukes is back, this time in collaboration with the excellent Barney Artist, hailing from East London’s Forest Gate. The two met through a Spotify playlist (God bless The Algorithm) and after a brief appearance from Barney Artist on ‘God First’, the pair started working together more frequently, leading to an 18-month period of collaboration, writing and producing that culminated in The Locket. 

The record opens with the eponymous track ‘The Locket’, a song which succinctly tells you what the album is all about; Mr Jukes lays down a jubilant, dusty brass sample and Barney Artist dances over it with his effortless, husky bars. ‘Blowin Steam’ follows - the first track written by the duo in the early days of their collaboration, and a clear indication of what would turn out to be an exciting partnership.

‘Poems’ and 'Déjà Vu’ are brooding, summery songs that channel the hazy warmth of laidback '90s hip-hop from the likes of A Tribe Called Quest. ‘Vibrate’ picks up the pace with a more catchy melody and some faster vocals from Barney Artist. Mr Jukes’ layered backing vocals in the breakdown echo Jurassic Five’s ‘Concrete Schoolyard’. Barney Artist is a joy to listen to here, bringing bundles of energy to his performance with silk-smooth flows and masterful delivery.

‘Autumn Leaves’ gives us our first taste of Jack Steadman’s signature falsetto vocals, complemented perfectly by guest vocalist Lex Amor’s hushed, crackling performance, an intoxicating blend of spoken word and rap that perfectly balances Steadman’s tone. ‘All For You’ gives us some more of Steadman’s vocals, this time over a choppy, glitchy harp sample and a sharp, zingy bassline. Of all the tracks, this is closest we get to Mr Jukes’ sound from his debut album, but the DNA undoubtedly carries through the whole record. 

The calm interlude of ‘All For You’ segues brilliantly into ‘Check The Pulse’, the record’s fastest and most intricate offering yet. A terrifically funky bassline, vinyl scratches and lo-fi instrumentals provide a warm and playful backdrop for an effervescent call-and-response between Barney Artist and guest collaborator Kofi Stone. It is a high-energy song with an undeniably funky and summery sound.

‘Leaving Us In Light’ and ‘Gratutude’ close the record on a wonderfully bright and optimistic note, as Barney Artist raps joyfully between lofty choral samples from gospel singer TL Barrett and a joyous refrain from the Deep Throat Choir. Despite the broad musical influences and clear transatlantic inspiration, ‘The Locket’ is a love-letter to London. Where ‘God First’ was an expansive, globetrotting record, ‘The Locket’ is far more rooted - it is a celebration of home, friendship and good times. And it couldn’t have come sooner.

The Locket is out now.

More about: Mr JukesBarney Artist