American born British artist Cosmo Jarvis is not one to let something as trivial as age get in the way of making a name for himself having already accumulated quite the impressive resume at the tender age of 23.
Promptly asserting himself as a consummate singer-songwriter, whose first two albums garnered mass Internet fandom, a viral music video (‘Gay Pirates’) as well as critical acclaim from Stephen Fry, Jarvis has set his sights on making 2012 the year in which he takes the world by storm.
Having only released his second album, Is the World Strange Or Am I Strange, last year, Jarvis has refrained from resting on his laurels and gone on to write and direct his first feature film, The Naughty Room, as well as releasing a third studio album, Think Bigger.
For those unfamiliar with Jarvis’ work, the album’s title may conjure images of conceited themes and pretentious displays of pomposity and grandeur.
However nothing could be further from the truth as Jarvis delivers an assorted list full of humble yet outspoken melodies wrapped within a charming mixture cynical and enthusiastic lyrics.
Think Jason Mraz meets the Arctic Monkeys.
The album begins with the newly released single, ‘Love This’, a fantastic soft-pop anthem that would be the perfect addition to anyone’s holiday soundtrack. The arresting warmth of Jarvis’s vocals and delightfully soothing guitar-work deliver an abundance of soul and swagger that becomes more infectious upon every listening.
Accompanying this soul-injecting intro is ‘Train Downtown’, an arousing edgy saunter that helps to underscore Jarvis’s attempt to target a mainstream audience with an easy-to-sing chorus and melodic hard-hitting riffs.
From this point, much of the album takes on a more country rock/folk orientated vibe seeping in lightly with ‘Tell Me Who To Be’, a song that would arguably sit comfortably on a Mumford and Sons album, before revealing itself completely with ‘Hopeless Bay’, ‘Friend Of The Devil’, and the banjo conducted ‘Lacie’, the story of one mans love for his external hard-drive.
This track is a true highpoint within the album in which the superbly crafted lyrics are sung with such beauty and adoration that it is easy to mistake this track as the singer’s ode to a beloved girlfriend of the same name. Expect office workers everywhere to hum this tune anytime they plug into their laptops.
Perhaps jaded by recent political calamities and demoralizing social heartaches, Jarvis makes room to express his distaste and condemnation for modern society in a manner that is both imaginative and refreshing.
‘Girl From My Village’ is a reflection of the timely concept ‘only the good die young’ encapsulated within the tale of a young girls death. The somber essence of the lyrics juxtaposed with the joyful up-tempo rhythm is enthralling and highly deserving of several replays.
However the heart of the album lies within the track ‘Sunshine’, a social commentary concerning societies mounting intolerance and supposed self-entitlement. The songs closing stages center around a ferocious burst of rage with Jarvis pushing his vocal abilities to the limit, chewing the lyrics apart and spitting them back out with wild and vicious intent. That, along with the underlining beat and contagious sing-a-long chorus will undoubtedly make this tune a hit come festival season.
Like any album, Think Bigger is not without its shortcomings; songs such as ‘Whatever’ and the albums’ closing title track are interesting upon first discovering but quickly become unexciting and repetitive whilst the Adam Ant-esque ‘Good Citizen’ sounds like it belongs within in the confines of a public schoolyard.
With that said, the album still retains a measure of excellence and a distinctive British sound that defines it as one of the stand out albums of the year.
Jarvis’ ability to combine mature storytelling and juvenile rhyme schemes is akin to such greats as Ian Dury and Squeeze and his attempt at offering a wide range of themes and music styles is both brave and inspiring for young artists everywhere.
Whilst this latest installment may not get the radio airplay it deserves, it’s no overstatement to expect much greater things to come from Cosmo Jarvis that will undoubtedly propel him into mainstream media attention.
[Rating:3.5]
