Jungle has dedicated their sound to the type of funk you thought only existed in the '70s. Their vocals often flirt with the falsetto end of the sonic spectrum, and while Jungle isn't exactly the Bee Gees, we get the feeling that they wouldn't be too upset about us making that association on some level. It's hard to ignore Jungle's influences, especially because the type of music that they've called on for inspiration hasn't yet experienced the resurgence in popularity that some of the other older genres have. Because of that, we tip our hats to the band's ability to bring '70s funk-disco into the modern era, and their shrewd timing for this album release. Yes, there are a few peripheral names out there experimenting with music like this, but nobody has done it with the same attention to detail and flair that Jungle has. Their mix of hip-hop beats and old dance music is one-of-a-kind at the moment, and when you combine that with the fact that Jungle is just really good at making music, you've got yourself a recipe for success. Their self-titled album features a lot of the tracks that caught people's attention on their last two EPs, but the shine still hasn't worn off on tracks like "Busy Earnin'" and "The Heat", so we'll just go through the tracklist and highlight the ones that deserve notice regardless of release date. Right from the top of track one, your ears are greeted by a welcoming party of sound that will get your head bobbing (whether you were planning on it or not), and paste a smile across your face as the song develops into a symphony of smooth bass lines and soft percussion work. There's a whiff of lo-fi white noise here and there, but it's all there for a purpose, and despite the rough edges, the whole track feels so polished and effortless that you'll have a hard time finding something you don't absolutely love about it. Next up on the list of all-star songs is "Busy Earnin'". Taking into account the impressive consistency of the album as a whole, it's hard to say for sure which tracks truly outshine the rest, but if somebody were to make a case that "Busy Earnin'" deserves the top spot, we'd hesitate to argue. The single is huge right from the starting blocks, and as a pop song, it's got more raw power than 99% of its competition. The instrumentation is sharp and crisp, but when the vocals come in, the track is instantly transported into a realm of music where the air is rarefied and the production work is second to none. If you're at all on the fence about Jungle, then listen to this before you make up your mind. Chances are, you'll be a fan way before the music dies out. As far as new notables on the album go, there are many. Most of the tracklist is new material that bridges the gaps between the band's earlier singles, and they do a great job rounding out the project and gluing everything together. However, "Time" is a track of the same ultra-high caliber as "The Heat", and will surely grab top honors as the best new song on the album. It's got all of that same smooth slow that our other favorites have, as well as the way Jungle expertly crafts their timeless grooves. "Crumbler" is another offering you won't want to miss, and while it's not quite as flashy as the rest of the list, the vibe is just as refined, and it will only reinforce sneaking suspicions that Jungle is way more than just a one-trick pony. They've nailed this vintage funk revival in their debut album here, and if we had to guess, this is only the tip of the iceberg for the band. We'll have to wait and see what they come out with next, of course, but this album will do just fine in the interim, and will be making regular appearances on playlists everywhere. Purchase the album on iTunes now.
Jungle