Jake & The Jellyfish – Long In Winters

Those looking to broaden their horizons beyond the typical heavyweights of UK punk-rock would do well to investigate Leeds folk-punk quartet Jake & The Jellyfish.  The band unassumingly landed on my radar with the release of their sophomore full length, Dead Weight.  Their passionate take on fiddle-infused, chorus-bound punk rock was a top notch reminder of what a sometimes stagnant scene can surprise you with.  A few years later and their follow up, Long In Winters, is no different in mobilizing that same fiery spirit.

While Long In Winters marks a slight nudge towards accessibility in cleaner production, the band never abandons their folk underpinnings or rough and tumble demeanor.  Opener “Spokesdog” takes a broadly accessible approach much the same direction as Ducking Punches’ recent output.  Sweeping choruses are grounded by gritty guitars and front man Jake McAllister’s rough, throaty cries.  It’s a tantalizing first course that sets up for the sing along vibe that follows in “Reading List.” “I need background noise so I can sleep, turn the radio on an leave me be,” sings the band at the onset of a chorus worth of rhythm heavy woah-oah choral moments.  The band’s lyrics float to the surface as relatable passages and lines embed themselves in memory. But the album really hits its stride in the emotionally evocative tone of “Graveyard.” Here the band’s critical nature shines through in an increasingly forceful array of rough riffs and vocal attitude.  The same can be said of later offerings like “Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peas,” which focuses heaviest on the rock side of the spectrum. The harder direction is a little less distinct, but certainly channels the same passion as past work.

But while the band perhaps moves most clearly in a more heavily produced direction, the second half of Long In Winters takes a back to basics acoustic approach.  “Social Smoker” and “Comics” project a fast-paced electro-acoustic folk offering heavy on vocal harmonies with an emphasis on the folk.  The crispness of the acoustic strumming against the heaviness of the riffs makes for what could end up being some of the band’s most energetic live tracks.  Album highlight “No One Remembers Song Titles Anyways” plays up the band’s atmospheric fiddle work amidst an ebb and flow that sees the band roar forward collectively, and retreat to singular acoustic verses.  The title track closes the disc with a fully acoustic throwback that wouldn’t be out of place on a Frank Turner solo set.  The core metaphor of being “long in winters, short in years” ensures listeners leave with something deep to contemplate well after the disc runs its course.

Overall, Long In Winters is a great statement as to Jake & The Jellyfish’s career trajectory.  With three full solid lengths now under their belt they are no longer newcomers and can safely enjoy their reputation as folk punk mainstays.  While the band is clearly still more suited for the pseudo-acoustic realm, there’s no question that they will continue to define themselves across any style or genre they invest in.