The Jacques are powering towards the September 5th release of their second album ‘Make Repetition!’ in style, having recently toured extensively with Public Image Ltd (during which John Lydon became an almost father-figure after their van and equipment was stolen) as well as being featured by The Line of Best Fit and supported with further news coverage led by NME. Now the London-via-Bristol trio offer a glittering new taste of the upcoming record as they share the shimmering new single ‘Ramona’ alongside its official video.
A bold stylistic swerve that trades guitars for synth and a sharp left turn from the band’s scruffier beginnings, ‘Ramona’ sees The Jacques embrace the gloss and groove of Blondie, Talking Heads and ‘80s new-wave pop, without losing the bite that made them cult favourites on the UK indie circuit. Power-pop synth lines, taut disco beats, and frontman Finn O’Brien’splayful vocal delivery collide in a track that feels tailor-made for late night dancefloors.
It confirms what longtime fans have always suspected: The Jacques are far more than another indie band. With one foot in their art school past and the other striding towards a bold pop future, they’re poised to surprise in all the best ways.
Finn says, “‘Ramona’ is about projection, desire, and the way we blur fantasy with memory.”
The accompanying visual plays on the concept that ‘Ramona’ is a song for anyone who’s ever felt like a small fish in a big sea. Set in the sedate environment of Maidenhead Thicket Bowls Club, the trio just don’t fit in: Finn is in the middle of an ill-fated lunch date, while bandmates Elliot O’Brien and Harry Thomas’s over-competitive game of bowls spills over into a fight. It’s only when they retreat to the club house that they all feel comfortable being themselves.
For a band so young in their years, The Jacques have been through more than most: meeting their heroes, the death of their band mate and best friend Will Hicks, recovery from crippling addiction, a dream tour torpedoed, then returning with their strongest work to date. The story of The Jacques is one of resilience and togetherness. You can hear that defiance in the face of adversity throughout ‘Make Repetition!’ – with songs of loss, survival, self-destruction, self-improvement, catharsis and sticking together.
‘Make Repetition!’ is available to pre-save HERE.
photo credit – Nick Sayers