The Jons – Self Titled

UK indie rock group The JONS seem to have picked up some solid momentum over on their home turf.  Still a relative unknown outside the island nations, they clearly have the ear of the people, already garnering the popular vote in Essex during local station Southend Radio’s people’s choice award, as well as a solid second place in a regional battle of the bands competition with over 11,000 initial entries.  Considering the outright fun present in the band’s first EP, it’s not hard imagining The JONS winning over so many prospective fans.

At their core, The JONS embody a timeless brand of alternative pop that’s easy on the ears and quick to memory.  At only two songs, the band only gets one shot, but thankfully they get it right the first time – making a strong first impression.  Earlier this year Canada’s Teenage Kicks graced my ears by similar means, and although the former certainly bares a sound true to the Brit scene and the latter a product of rural Canada; the EPs exhibits parallel levels of energy, and brims with just as much potential.

Side A opens with “Walk Towards The People,” a great piece I find myself bouncing around in time during each listen.  With a run time of only 2:24, the group has put a lot of love and care into each and every note.  Opening with an energetic splash of retro guitar, and building up with that unmistakable British accent, it wouldn’t be hard imagining the group gaining the ear of foreign markets much like other UK acts, a la Franz Ferdinand.  Their appeal can be attributed to the many little touches helping push The JONS over the edge.  For instance, some moments amalgamate lyrics and style, as seen when the band speaks the line “we never talk,” only to raise collective voices, yelling the line “but we absolutely love to shout!” thereafter.  Other times there sneak in welcome little flourishes, like a groovy 70’s inspired bridge.  Either way, the song is fun little a toe tapper through and through.

Flip the single over and you get “Grass On The Wicket,” a simple, bubbly tune in which the band embraces and overcomes their cultural clichés as they reference European pastimes like cricket when weaving a tale about a “naughty” dame’s childish games.  It’s a song that could make even the most culturally elitist American sing along with conventions obviously rooted in British culture.

Two tracks is all it takes to want to hear more from The JONS, a fact that bodes well for a band still early in their career.  Definitely a convincing argument to keep the Essex quintet on one’s radar.