WATCH: Chris Jack (The Routes) releases glorious new video single 'Close the Door'

We’ve followed Chris and his ever-changing line-ups for sometime now. From his darkerIn This Perfect Hell, through his classic garage sounding Dirty Needles And Pins and to his last album, Tune Out, Switch Off, Drop In. Back in 2014, I was also covering his Dirty Water album, Alligator. It seemed that despite his twisting a turning of sounds, he was always dedicated to being a purveyor of the crunched and cranked garage fuzz, in whatever guise it came. Chris Jack was The Routes.

On his new album, however, Chris has put the pedals away and with them the moniker, going simply by Chris Jack on his new album, Miles To Go. And it makes perfect sense, because this is no Routes records. On his new album, he has opted for his acoustic guitar, a Rhodes organ, vibraphone and a host of other accompanying instruments to create a lush and wistful record that recalls other influences such as Galaxie 500, Silver Jews, and Guided By Voices. It’s a left turn that was never expected, yet simultaneously, upon listening, feels completely natural when placed in the context of 2020.

It was beginning to seem like no year was complete without a new Routes record (or two!) and it’s fantastic to hear Chris Jack spreading his wings into this new territory. This is an album that should soundtrack the coming winter nights, bringing warmth from within to comfort us in the darker times. Essential.

CHRIS JACK - Miles To Go

Action Weekend Records

Out now!

LP | DL