The Jacks - “Threw It All Away”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 4

Pairs Well With…Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, Rainbow Kitten Surprise

LA’s The Jacks quickly followed up their 2019 self-titled debut with a second EP this year and Remember You continues to evolve the bluesy, pop/rock band’s sound. Tightening both their songwriting and performance, The Jacks let the natural grit in their music play up front while still keeping a clean, 70s-inspired vibe to Remember You. There’s a timeless, rock and roll nature to The Jacks’ music, letting their influences ride freely from classic Southern rock to more emotive, modern rock sounds pulled from 90s and contemporary forms. While guitar licks also play key roles on Remember You, The Jacks don’t overdo it, from the Americana groove of “Olivia” or even within the arena-sized ambitions “Only One” and “Threw It All Away”. The Jacks 2019 release gave off more of a garage rock/pop vibe and those roots do still find their ways into bits of Remember You, but by sharpening their edges, they actually stand out more on the back of their rock-solid and studied song-craft. (Kevin McStravick)