Album Review: Jack J Hutchinson – Battles (Earache Digital Distribution)

Jack J Hutchinson, the London, UK based guitarist and singer/songwriter will release his brand-new album ‘Battles’ on February 9th, 2024. An album that finds Hutchinson at his most exposed and is charged with the power of catharsis and purging darkness and hurt.

With a ton of heart and soul, focusing on being acutely anthemic, and having the song-writing chops to keep listeners well and truly interested from beginning to end, Jack J Hutchinson meets the hefty expectations most have for him with this big release. Featuring ten groovy, guitar-focused bangers that are packed with vitality.

Beginning the record with foot-tapping and head-banging pace, Jack J Hutchinson sets the sense aflame with Constellations. Before showcasing those singer/songwriter chops with aplomb on the moody melody of Days Are Gone. Then bringing the riffs with the infectious groovy hard rock hit that is Bullets. An album highlight because of the weighty and powerful message behind it.

So far, so enjoyable, but to be fair, Jack J Hutchinson is only getting started. Clearly quite inspired when it came to this record, he takes things to a really dramatic place with Road to Hell. Showcasing his strong vocals with a dusty haunting piece.

Although it’s not like there’s a single track where his vocals are found lacking. Nor a single track that doesn’t have riffs that get the blood pumping. Case in point, the thrill that comes from Running On Empty, the anthemic Rip It Up, and the melodramatic Love is the Law. Each displaying the creativity and layers to the sound of Battles as a whole.

Making a strong statement that cuts through all the bull, the ‘on the nose’, Don’t Let The Fuckers Get You Down is a song that everyone can take heart from. Jack J Hutchinson expelling some serious demons via his guitar and dropping one hell of a solo.

Keeping the record tight, there’s just two tracks left, and both add more weight to the hefty rock vibes the overall thing has. First there’s the danceable Overdrive with its infectious chorus, and then there’s the ‘epic’ Stay With Me. Epic because it’s not just the longest track at nearly five-minutes, but because it’s the most melodic and sombre sounding track of all. A fantastic choice of closers, that builds power, but never moves to far away from subtle rock.

Jack J Hutchinson – Battles Track Listing:

1. Constellations
2. Days Are Gone
3. Bullets
4. Road to Hell
5. Running on Empty
6. Rip It Up
7. Love Is the Law
8. Don’t Let the Fuckers Get You Down
9. Overdrive
10. Stay with Me

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