★★★★☆
When Jungle first appeared on the UK music scene they were shrouded in mystery. Going only by the initials T and J, they disguised their real identities, allowing the full focus to be on their catchy blend of funk, soul, disco and beyond. By the time the group’s self-titled debut dropped in 2014 it’d been revealed that Jungle was made up of childhood pals Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland; but this early mystique helped set the foundations for the Jungle creative world.
And whilst Jungle was a smash – becoming a Gold-certified in the UK and bagging a place on the Mercury Prize shortlist – its tunes also came with complex, thought-out and often intricately choreographed music videos, making the scope of Jungle’s creativity apparent, just as much as their sonics.
A decade on, this focus on Jungle’s overall creative output has permeated their career, and as on new record Volcano, they sound all the better when they’re looking at the bigger picture. Speaking to whynow, McFarland reflected how their musical process has changed over the past decade, explaining: “There’s a certain freeness that comes with what we’re doing now and how we do it… we’re enjoying it more, not taking it or ourselves too seriously.” And on their fourth record – the second released through their own label Caiola Records – this is evident.
Volano feels unconstrained and confident. This holistic approach to their work results in the album set-up having more in common with a Gorillaz project than it does with Jungle’s sonic contemporaries like Maribou State or Tom Misch. Here, Lloyd-Watson and McFarland have assembled a team of collaborators and contributors, a community of guest artists who bring their own sound to the project, while they produce and direct it.
There’s also a clear influence from the outfit’s increased DJ sets, the bristling buzz that only comes from a live show catapulting Volcano forward (as Tom told whynow, “our re-exposure to club culture has certainly been more significant”). From the cantering, techno-inflected bounce of ‘Holding On’, to the ‘90s house of the soaring ‘Candle Flame’, Volcano explodes with energy.
Nostalgia flecked samples, heavily produced falsetto vocals, slinky guitar licks and foot-tapping beats are all par for the course for Jungle by now, but here they’re accompanied by a joyful attention to detail that fizzes throughout: itchy, psych inflections that dominate ‘Dominoes’, percolating synth ripples on ‘I’ve Been In Love’, and lithe flute lines that lead a conga line of layered vocals on ‘Problemz’.
This relentless pep could easily grow repetitive, but it’s bolstered by their array of collaborators, a revolving door of guests adding dimension to Jungle’s sonic world. Compton artist Channel Tres’ effortless vocals elevate the swooning ‘I’ve Been In Love’, while the legendary Roots Manuva’s distinctive flow grounds ‘You Ain’t No Celebrity’.
Lydia Kitto, too, is heard throughout, her agile vocals floating atop the tracks. She shines particularly on ‘Back On 74’, a shimmering pure-pop number that borrows from both ‘90s RnB, and folk-rock giants like Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Ultimately, Volcano is the sound of Jungle unburdened by having to create in a certain way. After a decade making music and the success it’s brought them it’d be understandable for Lloyd-Watson and McFarland to sound their most confident, but on Volcano they’re also having their most fun.
