Simon RushworthJay Buchanan — Weapons Of Beauty (Sacred Tongue Records/Thirty Tigers)
When Jay Buchanan finally emerged from the Mojave Desert following three months of self-imposed exile, he’d achieved what he set out to do.
A cleansing of the creative mind, a much-needed mental and physical reset and a fresh outlook on life were all positive outcomes.
Crucially, for fans of a truly intuitive songwriter, Buchanan also brought with him a collection of career-defining songs that would cement his reputation as a generational talent.
Weapons Of Beauty is an exquisite body of work that leans heavily on a voice hitherto associated with deep, throaty blues rock.
Buchanan’s familiar tone is still reassuringly present but given this record’s raw, stripped back feel there’s a bold sense of vulnerability too.
This is a golden opportunity to fully appraise a singer who’s emotionally welded to his heartfelt lyrics and yet still honing his craft as a 21st century storyteller.
And it’s an opportunity every fan of soulful Americana should seize with both hands.
On Weapons Of Beauty, Buchanan can’t simply catch a breath behind a gritty Scott Holiday riff.
He can’t briefly step back into the shadows as Michael Miley takes centre stage.
Without his fellow Rival Sons there’s really nowhere to hide… and Buchanan’s in no mood to take cover.
Quite the opposite. Despite his debut solo album’s laid-back refrain and soothing melodies this is Buchanan on the charge — chasing his dreams and championing freedom.
Weapons Of Beauty empower soulful Buchanan
At times Weapons Of Beauty is almost therapeutic: if it’s self-medicating for Buchanan then the relatable themes of love, loss and learning will surely resonate with his listeners.
That Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere director Scott Cooper was charged with sequencing a rare record adds to its cinematic scope and instinctive flow.
Both deeply personal and inherently collaborative, this is an album that’s all about the art.
From the retro-styled cover to Cooper’s light touch, Weapons Of Beauty is a team effort that nevertheless elevates brand Buchanan.
Not every song’s sensational, by the way.
Some are simply very good.
But the highs are gloriously lofty: the Deacon Blue-like Deep Swimming is drowning in sweet melody and lead cut Caroline is Buchanan putting his heart and soul on the line.
It was 2011 when we first witnessed the Rival Sons’ frontman at his swaggering best and the Rushonrock review of his band’s Judas Priest (!) support slot noted ‘Buchanan is almost too cool for school but the songs stand up to the image — and then some’.
Fifteen years down the line and the songs still stand up to the image.
Even if, in the guise of a solo artist, the image is of an individual who’s more chilled than cool and more self-effacing than swaggering.
Main image credit Matthew Wignall