7 Oct 2024
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Where's Jai - EP Review: Avenues

18 Apr 2024 // A review by Brad Miller

For some artists, first time is not the charm. Debuts are often messy and lacking vision as the group or artist continue to figure out their sound and their way in the industry. However, that cannot be said for Avenues, the debut EP from Auckland 6-piece Where’s Jai. Made up of members; Grace Allis (Lead Vocals), Leigh Edmeades (Lead Vocals), Elliott Borland (Drums), Michael Walmsley (Lead Guitar), Jai Nelson (Rhythm Guitar), and Nate Fullerton (Bass).

Avenues presents a strong, unified, and clear vision of the band's sound. Opening with Killing Off Dreams, I’m simultaneously wanting to sit down and relax and feeling the urge to get up and groove. It’s a paradox that works. I’m listening to this EP on a cold night in April, but the rhythm guitar’s grooves, and the funky melody of the keyboard in the first half of the song (especially in the bridge), make me want to don the jandals and stubbies and fire up the grill. Killing Off Dreams takes a slightly more dramatic turn in the second half. The breakdown in the final minute of the song is a welcome surprise.

Citrus Mistress is up next. The almost isolated vocals that open the song are bluesy and (in the best way) haunting. When the rest of the band kick in, the reggae vibes appear. By the second half of song, Where’s Jai are soaring. Citrus Mistress is easily the powerhouse of the EP and ranking among my favourites of Avenues.

Imagine 90’s Shania Twain, 00’s Carrie Underwood and Tadpole, and the desert rock style of The White Stripes had a sassy love child, and you’d land somewhere near track 3, Stuck In Time. This rocking jam is where Nate, Jai, Michael, and Elliot shine (the vocals of Leigh and Grace are as strong and dialled in as all the other tracks of course). A special shoutout to those bass and guitar solos though, Nate and Michael.

Fourth track Pull Me In is a slowed down and ethereal contrast to Stuck In Time. The heart wrenching melody and lyrics talk about the death of love, and what happens when what was once beautiful turns sour. Pull Me In is probably my favourite vocal performance of the whole EP. I believed every word. While the lyrics are no doubt forlorn and melancholic, it’s the hope injected into the line “when will we be fine again?” that made me adore this track. It’s so soulful. Grace’s gift for writing is best displayed here.

Tyler’s Apology - Demo is the 5th and final track of Avenues. Another slowed down track, it’s a soft and soothing ending to this EP. Both Grace and Leigh shine on this track, working together to glide over the melody, the soft guitars serve as a guiding hand. Tyler's Apology - Demo to me, feels like floating down a stream. Free and easy.

All in all, as far as debuts go… made a mark. Watch this space and book the Homegrown stage now. We’re about to get some Kiwi icons.

 

About Where's Jai

Where's Jai are an up and coming indie-pop-rock band based on the North Shore in Auckland. They write groove-infused indie-rock with a dash of reggae and a hint of dreamy pop. They are a band to watch, with songs released on streaming platforms that are growing more and more popular by the day. Where's Jai are known internationally for their hit single Perfect Crime which has garnered close to a million streams on Spotify. Their debut EP Avenues was released on all major streaming platforms on the 5th of April 2024.

Where's Jai are well known in the Auckland live music scene, playing alongside incredible international acts such as Teenage Dads and Reece Mastin. As well as plenty of NZ artists like Muroki, Paige, Marmalade Skies and Lunar Intruder. They have also appeared on festival line-ups such as Earthbeat Festival, Lakeside Odyssey and Grey Lynn Park Festival.

The band are a group of electric live performers and put on an incredible show. Grace Allis and Leigh Edmeades are the powerful lead vocalists with Michael Walmsley on lead guitar, Jai Nielsen on rhythm guitar, Elliott Borland on drums and Nate Fullerton on bass.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Where's Jai

Releases

Avenues
Year: 2024
Type: EP

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