Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

JOE WORRICKER – EP

reviewed by Hanna Rose

Boyish and small, but packing a deep pool of R&B soul in his effervescing delivery, Joe Worricker is…well, he’s something else, that’s for sure. EP (appropriately named) starts off its run with “Little Man,” a cool, bluesy/jazz hybrid number that evokes the image of some poor soul crouched over a piano in the dark, playing quietly to himself. The emotion in Joe’s music is easily conveyed as it pours out of that voice of his, organically.

While the EP, consisting of four tracks, doesn’t quite live up to the initial darkness of “Little Man,” there is still something historic remaining about “We Hug in Bed,” with its bright, sassy femininity (yes, femininity) it could nearly be a hit from a ‘90s pop diva. The horns, too, are a definite blast from the past. Also included, “Wrap Me Up” and the corresponding “Wrap Me Up (Pocketknife remix)” build up and down throughout — catchy and clubby.

This EP is a good sampler of Worricker’s obvious talent, but the one thing it lacks is a sense of direction. It’s all beautiful music, but for some reason it doesn’t quite jump the mark of brilliant, which must only be because there is no particular set point as to what the listener is hearing. There are moments of clarity and understanding and absolute freshness, but they aren’t consistent — not yet, anyways.

Joe is still a fresh faced 21-year-old honing a craft he’s been working since the tender age of seven. There is an unmistakable presence within this work, and it’s almost there, if only he’d follow the exact calling. That said, this EP is a promising look at a musician’s future, but shouldn’t be looked at as a monumental piece.

(Rough Trade Records, 66 Golborne Road, London UK W10 5PS)