Jeremy Jay – Slow Dance

Jeremy Jay, a singer/songwriter who calls both California and France home, attempts to fuse the music of both environments into one on his latest release, Slow Dance. This new-wave alternative rock album will catch the ears of some (and push others away) with its specialized sound.

Slow Dance is dripping with retro influence, each song will conjure to mind a song that has been or would have been played relentlessly on the radio two or three decades ago. Haunting discothèque rhythms and dance leads covered by heavily doctored vocals, Jeremy Jay would fit right in on a movie soundtrack depicting the late ’70s or ’80s. He sings of love, seasons of romance and jovial images; it’s hard to not wear a smile or at least keep from being depressed when listening to the album, unless you are basing your happiness on the quality of the music that accompanies those peachy lyrics. Save for a few songs, Slow Dance is a boring disc with little to create excitement.

Whiny vocals and weak instrumentation make for an uneventful disc full of what seem to be filler tracks posing little reason to continue on. Similar song constructs of simple beats and basic guitar lines with uniform keyboard leads allow the listener to draw too many similarities between each song. The airy, bass driven title track is one of the most memorable songs on the album. Computerized vocals and interesting keyboard lines compliment the awkward yet eerie moans of Jay; what could be considered annoying only falls into the soundscape making for a tolerable track. The next song “Winter Wonder” will squelch any hopes that “Slow Dance” might have inspired. “Winter Wonder” is brought down by boring and irritatingly obvious lyrics, which is a shame because the simple acoustic instrumentation could make for a stellar song.

“Winter Wonder” is a perfect example of what is wrong with this album. The songs that do offer interesting instrumentation are brought down by Jay’s oversimplified and naïve lyrics and awkward melodies. The sequel to “Slow Dance”, “Slow Dance 2,” is a jazzy track with brushed drums, finger snapping and non-synthesized keyboards. Again, another track with extremely enjoyable instrumentation yet brought down by the immaturity of Jay’s lyricism.

Slow Dance might have potential. An album of what could be Flock Of Seagull b-sides has what it takes to be a quite enjoyable new wave listen. However all is distorted with typical instrumentations and Jay’s vocal constructs; weak lyrics and melodies offer little to contribute to the album overall. Slow Dance is a blast from the past that isn’t worth a spin on a stereo never mind the dance floor.

No related posts.

Tagged as: California

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.