January 8 | Written By Harvey Dibden-Angus

Throughout his 14-year career, Jack Tatum (Wild Nothing) has received widespread praise from all over the world. His accolades include a #1 ranking on the Billboard New Artist and Alternative New Artist charts, multiple Pitchfork Best New Music articles for his extensive back catalogue, and extensive touring with the band, where they have shared stages with artists like Grimes, Alex G, Mac De Marco, DIIV, Whitney, Beach House, Cat Power, Father John Misty, and many more.

Jacks latest project ‘Hold’ follows a different trajectory to a lot of his previous work, shifting somewhat from dream pop into a more electronic synth-led sound. It also sees Jack make his return to self – production, with an honourable mention to Geoff Swann, who mixed ‘Hold’ and allow this new musical trajectory to take place. Jack hasn’t self-produced any of his own work since ‘Gemini’ (2010) but his abilities as a producer have improved exponentially in that 13 - year span. 

Reflecting on the birth of his son during lockdown, there is a new sense of maturity in his lyricism and musical approach in comparison to some of his earlier work, before the trials and tribulations of parenthood shifted Jack’s entire landscape. 

Listening to ‘Hold’ really feels like you’re having these revelations about life and responsibility with Jack; he expresses his anxieties about becoming a father, moving from the big city to the confines of suburbia and tackling marriage and music simultaneously. There’s an endearing admittance to all this in his lyrics, which he has combined with a painstakingly 80’s sound to provide a truly authentic and non-threatening listening experience. 

The 80’s influence on this album is hugely present throughout. You could probably convince the average listener that track 4, titled Suburban Solutions, features in either the opening or closing scene of The Breakfast Club. Track 8 titled Prima could easily slot into any of the great Rocky Balboa training montages. It’s truly one for the nostalgia – ultras, a neo- vintage album for those who relish the sound of an age not forgotten. 

What separates it from just another album trying to replicate the sound of a decade is the experimentation with auto-tuning and synth – led electronica, and perhaps most importantly, it follows no real blueprint. It’s ambient, even euphoric at times, but it also breaches on a sense of melancholy; a truly personal, ‘coming-of-age’ musical endeavour. 

‘Hold’ has a unique accessibility; it reaches out to the generation old enough to remember the lure of 80’s pop music as it was, but also the gen Z film fanatic who first watched Stand By Me on his parents DVD player and fell in love with the soundtrack. Despite this, it still feels fresh and modern. 

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