Last week, he released his second album Shangri La with the added help of Rick Rubin and Chad Smith (of RHCP). Bugg was pegged as a revitalization of early Bob Dylan because his first album sounded very Greenwich Village-esqe. Even the vocals were recorded soft and faded. But luckily with his second album, he didn't pigeon hole himself.
Speaking of vocals, Bugg's voice is very unique. It borders on screechy but its sincere and pronounced. After all, he is still young and that's what it sounds like. When you hear the mature music, you sometimes forget it.
Shangri La loses the old time production of Bugg's first album and ups the tempo. "What's Doesn't Kill You" sounds like Arctic Monkeys grungy pop (I would Alex Turner a bigger influence than Bob Dylan). "Me And You" sounds like California hippie folk. His songwriting melds ages and genres.
Bugg disputes that Dylan was ever really an influence, but just like an earlier release from Gary Clark Jr. , you can pinpoint what Bugg is all about. His predecessors played a big role in his past but his present is very much Jake Bugg.
Bugg is playing naturally and enthusiastically. No image. No fluff. Listen to Shangri La for some genuine tunes. He can rock, he can roll, he can play 'em all.
What Doesn't Kill You
A Song About Love
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