Jono McCleery’s ever growing fanbase will be thrilled to hear that the Rotterdam-based singer songwriter has produced his definitive album. Pagodes is the deepest, most powerful work to date by a musician whose work has been described as like “Miles Davis, Massive Attack, John Martyn, Fink, and Radiohead wrapped up in one exquisitely produced sound.”
His second album 'There Is', released in 2011, began his association with Counter Records, and brought him widespread critical acclaim. New album 'Pagodes' is a collaborative release with London record store If Music.
Several years of hard work making 'Pagodes' has paid off in spades. It’s an album that’s difficult to turn away from, full of beautiful melody, futuristic production flourishes and lyrics that don’t shy away from darkness, but always alight on uplifting conclusion.
Opener "This Idea of Us" is a smouldering torch ballad, its string arrangement lending it gripping drama. Robert Wyatt’s "Age of Self" comes off as a song McCleery was born to sing, its lyrical content as relevant today as it was 30 years ago. The album moves into infectious percussive swing and melodic loops with "Ballade," a song that could have come from the LA-jazz hotbed surrounding Flying Lotus.
'Pagodes' marries all of this thrilling diversity via McCleery’s existential musings and his startling voice and playing. It’s unlikely you’ll hear an album of such power from another singer songwriter anytime soon.
His second album 'There Is', released in 2011, began his association with Counter Records, and brought him widespread critical acclaim. New album 'Pagodes' is a collaborative release with London record store If Music.
Several years of hard work making 'Pagodes' has paid off in spades. It’s an album that’s difficult to turn away from, full of beautiful melody, futuristic production flourishes and lyrics that don’t shy away from darkness, but always alight on uplifting conclusion.
Opener "This Idea of Us" is a smouldering torch ballad, its string arrangement lending it gripping drama. Robert Wyatt’s "Age of Self" comes off as a song McCleery was born to sing, its lyrical content as relevant today as it was 30 years ago. The album moves into infectious percussive swing and melodic loops with "Ballade," a song that could have come from the LA-jazz hotbed surrounding Flying Lotus.
'Pagodes' marries all of this thrilling diversity via McCleery’s existential musings and his startling voice and playing. It’s unlikely you’ll hear an album of such power from another singer songwriter anytime soon.
TRACK LISTING
This Idea Of Us
Age Of Self
Since I
Painted Blue
Ballade
Clarity
Halfway
Bet She Does
Fire In My Hands
Desperate Measure
Pardon Me
So Long