Album Review: Jack Garratt - Love, Death & Dancing

Brit electro-soulster Jack Garratt was one of 2016's brightest stars, The Guardian boldly proclaiming him "the figurehead of all modern hipster music." The BRITs Critics' Choice Award winner debuted with the self-produced, yet self-conscious, Phase. But, aside from 2015's cult single Weathered, Phase seemed ephemeral, Garratt unable to transcend comparisons to James Blake. Canning an initial follow-up, the singer retreated to focus on his mental wellbeing (though he did contribute to Katy Perry's Witness). 

Fortunately, like Georgia, Garratt has found his groove this second album around, embracing funk, disco and house. And he's assisted by outside producers – notably Jacknife Lee. 

Love, Death & Dancing might be a JOMO concept album, Garratt describing it as "dance music for people who don't want to go out". He directly addresses self-doubt, anxiety and depression, as well as the pressures of success, via meta-pop anthems.

More than ever, Garratt revels in wild sonic hybrids – Return Them To The One evoking Bon Iver, Jamiroquai and Daft Punk. Garratt has already shared material by way of EPs – and the tuneful lead single Time is among the highlights here, together with the six-minute splendour Mara, about intrusive thoughts. Only the stark She Will Lay My Body On The Stone echoes Blakey's hymnal piano balladry. Crucially, Garratt's new songs feel epic, memorable and heartfelt.