As the Strokes somewhat slipped under the radar this year with the subtle release of fifth album Comedown Machine, it's something of an unexpected treat to see their finest solo member back with a bang and playing live again.
Following the recent release of superb new EP AHJ, Albert Hammond Jr has never looked or sounded more comfortable in his own skin.
First up tonight though are Mexico City's Rey Pila. With a singer who doesn't look entirely dissimilar to a festive Yannis Philippakis, their 80's tinged anthemic indie does a good, if not totally convincing job, of warming up the quickly-expanding crowd. Exepect interesting things from these fellow Cult record label signings in the months ahead.
Looking lean and fresh, AHJ arrives on stage with band in tow and take no time in making their mark, tearing through early album favourite - with 'Hard to Live In The City' as a particularly rousing highlight, with its wonderfully summery reggae indie instrumental outro. Leaving the more rigorous guitar duties to his fellow players allows Albert to relish center stage as frontman, and he does a bloody fine job of it.
Chatting playfully with the crowd between tracks, the biggest smile in indie makes several appearances as there's some seriously reciprocated crowd love tonight. By the time latest single 'St. Justice' lands, along with two songs that, without the ruling iron fist of Julian Casablancas, could and should have been early Strokes classics in the way of 'In Transit' and '101' its quite apparent just how many fine compositions Albert has.
Not a single song passes tonight without being littered with hooks or his knack for an endearing melody. Finishing a brief encore with a solo rendition of first album track 'Blue Skies' (a version of which honestly wouldn't sound out of place on a John Lennon Best Of) it's well and truly a job done.
So then: no fuss, no frills, just a damn fine musician existing on his own terms with some superb songs, some of which tonight could have seriously given his day job band a run for their money. Albert Hammond Jr takes the capital in style.
Below: Exclusive and really cool photos of Albert Hammond Jr live at XOYO, London
