Simon RushworthJayler — Voices Unheard (Silver Lining Music)
When Rushonrock caught up with Jayler duo James Bartholomew (the Jay) and Tyler Arrowsmith (the Ler) earlier this year we desperately wanted to be proved right.
We always suspected these shit hot kids with the looks and the hooks were the real deal.
We were pretty much certain they weren’t simply playing at being the next Led Zeppelin.
And from what we’d already seen and heard there was no doubt in our minds that retro-soaked classic rock ran right through the veins of two swaggering brothers in arms and their buddies Ricky Hodgkiss (bass) and Ed Evans (drums).
More than an hour into our chat and those suspicions were confirmed: Jayler’s music comes from a mindset rooted in deep knowledge and shaped by serious respect.
Within minutes Bartholomew and Arrowsmith were referencing the artists and the albums that chime most with devotees of the very best in 70s and 80s stadium rock.
Giants of the genre and trailblazing talents.
Influential scene leaders and sonic innovators.
Bartholomew evokes Rodgers, Coverdale, Hagar and Plant. Voices Unheard keeps those voices alive without ever drifting into lame imitation.
Arrowsmith screams Black Crowes, Bad Company, Blackberry Smoke and more.
But then both childhood pals talk excitedly of their love for Def Leppard classics Pyromania and Hysteria.
In fact there’s plenty to unpick from a blistering debut.
Authenticity is right at the root of this remarkable record. There’s nothing manufactured or jarring about Jayler’s music.
It’s time to give these NWOCR champions a chance. Park the preconceptions. Put your faith in the new breed. Jayler won’t let you down.
Voices Unheard speaks to the classic rock nation
Voices Unheard is a veritable feast for the classic rock senses.
The ballsy blues rock of Down Below kicks in within seconds of the album’s inspired off-the-cuff jam of an intro.
It’s a fitting tribute to the big beasts of the 70s and affords both Bartholomew and Arrowsmith an early opportunity to display their chops.
Voices Unheard’s versatility is a strength: sure, Jayler are keen students of their idols’ storied pasts but that’s by no means a limitation.
Time and time again a bold debut takes fans in a series of different directions: The Getaway is almost poppy in its tone while Alectrona sounds like The Cult meeting The Commoners head on.
Evans goes to town on the tumbling, rumbling intro to Hate To See It End but what about stripped back ballad Bittersweet? Wow.
Bartholomew has nowhere to hide… and no need to.
His is a voice to treasure — protecting it should be the number one priority of the team behind him.
It’s Arrowsmith who takes the plaudits on proggy set closer The Rinsk as Jayler’s riffmaster general lets rip. According to the band, this song’s ‘the big one’ and it’s truly ambitious in both scope and sound.
Voices Unheard simply must be heard. Far. And. Wide.
