JPEG RAW

Gary Clark Jr's upcoming album, titled "JPEG RAW", his 4th studio release, marks a major step in his musical development. A powerful and expansive artistic expression. While maintaining the deep and true resonance of his blues foundation, and guitar virtuosity with subtlety yet conviction, he reaches far beyond this era. The emphasis here is on vocals and studio craft without losing the rawness of his young legend.

The music is dense and adventurous with a more cohesive synthesis of his eclectic musical palette. Hip samples, Thelonious Monk and Sonny Boy Williamson decorate flourishes of African, world music, even jazz while fusing with blues, rock, r'n'b and rap; He has ventured into familiar areas before, this time with more unity to create a new fresh style. Clark's lyrics are pointed, deeply personal, outspoken and socially conscious with occasional forays into rap and spoken word from Clark himself. The sounds are immersive on the verge of modern groove oriented psychedelia with hip hop driven beats in verses that give way to anthemic choruses, rich in power chords and broad fuzz riffs.

Songs like "Maktub", "JPEG RAW", "This Is Who We Are", "Hyperwave" and the epic 10 minute song "Habits", break new ground and defy categorization in the ever corporatized, predictable alternative music world. The Stevie Wonder duet, "What About The Children", feels like an instant classic that could have lived on "Innervisions" or "Talking Book" if it weren't for Clark's smeared riffs and hip hop pocket.

Clark has always had swagger and sex in his sound, and very dangerous hands swinging the 6 string. "JPEG RAW" is all this and breaks new ground that is both exciting and inspiring on every level.

Warner Music, March 22nd, 2024.