JayWood - “Some Days"

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 3

Pairs Well With…Cautious Clay, Dominic Fike, Bartees Strange

Mixing indie rock and R&B forms, JayWood presents a complex yet catchy sound on his latest EP Some Days, a woozy, traveling song-set of head-turning groovers. Quick, jazz-infused guitar lines power much of these tracks, formed with math-rock precision, but played over groove-oriented bass and percussion. Add in JayWood’s melancholy R&B tone and the result is unique and full, formed reflections of dream pop vibes in a relatively jammy way. That said, this music is tight and the display of musicianship is a big reason why JayWood stands apart from his chillwave-leaning indie rock peers. It makes what would be otherwise somber songwriting feel upbeat and downright funky at times, a quality that should inform an engaging SXSW set come March. (Kevin McStravick)