Mirrorwriting at a glance

You have to feel sorry for Jamie Woon. Like really sorry. As a British solo 'Pop' artist that isn't distinctly crap he's already an endangered species. Then, just as people start to notice him, along comes James Blake and they get lumped together because their music is vaguely similar and some idiot decides to call them 'post-Dubstep'. Unfortunately for Mr Woon, the other one gets his album out first, and gets the lion share of press attention.

It's all rather sad.



However, now that Jamie Woon's debut, Mirrorwriting, is finally out, maybe he can make up for lost time.

It is certainly nothing like dubstep as you know it. You could maybe draw some comparisons with Burial in the spaced out, electronic soundscapes of tracks like 'Lady Luck', but this is an altogether more pop record.

You may be surprised then, than I'm even bothering to review this. I have a pretty bloody dim view of the whole genre, yet this is quite different. Mirrorwriting a soulful record, far from the overly polished, factory-line music that dominates the top 40 at the moment. Quite laterally soulful in fact, as Woon's voice often sounds like it should be on a Motown record. That, accompanied with the smooth instrumentation and general 'groove' of the music makes for an album of a strength that you rarely hear in the pop mainstream.

The standout tracks, single 'Night Air', 'Lady Luck' and 'Middle' all showcase the albums strengths perfectly. Sleek, smooth, but perfectly natural.

Of course, one criticism would be that there is little in variety from the standard 'template' from one song to another. It's a record that knows what its good at and sticks with it. It means that there's a lack of awkwardly out of place 'experimental' tracks that often occur when an artist tries (and fails) to push the envelope a bit. But at the same time you could argue that it gives the album a slightly lack of depth. If you don't like it's first few tracks, you probably won't like the rest of the album.

However, if when the opening of 'Night Air' kicks into life, you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside, you will love this album.