Wolverhampton's Jim Hudson, Fallen - EP review

Just three tracks long – recorded by Jim and mixed by Matthew Pinfield at city-based Grandflat – it encompasses some of the lighter elements of the 90s British rock scene that gave us the likes of Badly Drawn Boy and early era Radiohead.

It lives off echoed percussion that builds a sense of foreboding in the head, guitars plucked almost nonchalantly, and Hudson’s deceptively powerful vocals which can sound nearly whispered one minute and like he’s howling some life-defining instructions the next.

The absolute gem here is the title track, nestled in the middle of the three like the finest, smoked bacon in the most succulent of BLT sandwiches.

That thumping intro immediately makes you stand up and take notice before we enter Travis-like wandering, meandering verses that feel almost lifted onto an ethereal plane. It’s like that protagonist in the latest hit indie flick stumbling through the rain on his musical interlude realisation moment of just what he has to do to sort this mess out.

It’s a beautiful track. And it comes complete with brief cymbal-heralded explosions as it enters into a jagged little chorus full of anguish and disgust at life around us.

The closer Papercuts almost immediately dispels these atmospherics. Much more hopeful than its predecessor it’s a softer clop through sun-kissed fields on the way to a much-craved picnic with your high school crush who has finally started noticing you.

Gloopier, treacle-like guitars stutter and waddle from start to finish and are met halfway by bashful electrics to join hand in hand for a sweet dance to the finale. It’s a really heart-warming number to close out this first recorded offering.

They both make up for the slightly messier and less enjoyable Shadow. It feels clunkier, Hudson’s vocals aren’t as accomplished or fitting to what is going on around him. There is perhaps a little too much going on among the bangs and crashes.

But it doesn’t stop this being a welcome introduction to his aura and serves as a taster for what can come in the future should he decide to venture into the studio again.

Rating: 6/10