“Being laid back and introspective is a big part of my personality,” Jordan Rakei told Mixmag last year, “and a lot of the new album is about that.” He’s not joking; a sense of ease and composure permeates every seam of the young Australian’s music but it’s impossible to say that he is laid back about his career or his sound. Rakei blends genre boundaries and strives for previously unheard textures as only a truly forward-looking artist can – but without losing the accessibility which promises crossover potential. This is inviting stuff, as welcoming as it is quietly inventive.
Like much of his labelmates at Ninja Tune, through whom he released Wallflower last year, Rakei casts a wide net for artistic influence. Listen through the record, and you might hear shades of Kind of Blue-era Miles Davis, the easy soul of Otis Redding, the stately trip-hop of Bonobo, and a touch of Radiohead’s explorer spirit. His rich, earnest vocals are matched in their smoothness only by the dexterity of his guitar work, and the production is impeccably balanced throughout. Every instrument is afforded room to breathe, and time to grow. Subtle rhythmic sidesteps and dabs of processed percussion give an impression of steady, yet constant, motion, and his melodies, rarely obvious, are memorable nonetheless.
Here at Remus Uomo, we appreciate an eye for detail, and few can rival that of Jordan Rakei. It’s a quality that has served him well, and continues to do so: a busy European touring schedule looms ahead of him this summer, and recent collaborations with the likes of Tom Misch and Disclosure hint at serious mainstream crossover potential.
We don’t doubt that, like seemingly everything else so far, he’ll take the success that awaits him effortlessly in his stride.
Checkout our weekly Sportify playlist to hear a few of Jordan Rakei’s best tracks.
Jordan Rakei’s second LP, Wallflower, is out now on Ninja Tune. Catch him live at Ronnie Scott’s in London on 18th and 19th April, or at Belfast’s Titanic Slipways on 25th May as part of the Radio6 Music Biggest Weekend Event.
A fan of Jordan? Have a listen to our Spotify playlist. Let us know on what you think on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
