Matthew Jay - Draw (2001)

Up to recently I had avoided solo artists like the plague reasoning that something was always going to be more interesting if it came from a group of people. This rather pathetic logic was turned on its head after I discovered Nick Drake, Badly Drawn Boy and Sparklehorse. So where once I would have treaded neatly around stuff released by artists like Matthew Jay, I now head straight for the nearest listening post. Draw does not disappoint; the production is lush, the ideas are creative and at intervals it is liable to leave you in various stages of exhilaration.

Matthew Jay was born in Wales (which ultimately led to lazy David Gray comparisons in the press) to a musical family. When his father lost his job as a coalminer, he turned his hand to making guitars. With his parent’s love of folk music and a ready supply of instruments available on his doorstep, Jay junior set about writing his own songs from a very young age. After much effort and on the point of jacking in all in Jay was eventually signed to Food Records (Blur). 'Let Your Shoulder Fall' was the first release from 'Draw' and became the single of the week on Mark and Lard's Radio One show. It's hard to argue with their decision because 'Let Your Shoulder Fall' is an upbeat jive with a classy guitar centrepiece. Matthew Jay's voice has a soft lilt but it manages to swoop and soar in a way that conjures up a happy Nick Drake (!). 'Four Minute Rebellion' is the quaint opener on the album, although the not so subtle swearing comes a little bit of a surprise.

There is an underlying nostalgic feel to a lot of 'Draw'. 'You're Always Going Too Soon' for example is a remarkably studied pop song delivered with style and panache that has an internal spirit that harks back to the summer of 1976. While Jay’s voice is timeless the music sounds like it has been beautifully preserved in a sealed casket for decades. What a double bill he and the Webb Brothers would make! 'Only Meant To Say' evokes some better Lightning Seeds moments (particularly 'Sense', although this makes more), happy music designed to make you smile. It starts out with some shimmering spacey guitars and a wandering vocal. Then, quite by surprise, the tune gets possessed by a fully fledged demon of a chorus. Quite simply a sunshine tune that bursts at the seams with gleeful attitude.

The guitars on 'Meteorology' sound rather close to something Noel Gallagher would cook up. Jay's delicately hushed vocals elevate proceedings while the distant strings add the necessary class. It is quite stirring and beautifully slows things down momentarily. 'Call My Name Out' had me thinking of the theme to Hill Street Blues (or was that Taxi?). The 'hey na na na na' bit sounds a little borrowed but the good vibes do help you overlook this minor quibble. Not for the first time Jay employs a double vocal that adds to his music's rich texture. 'Molasses' is this albums only instrumental (save for a light female hum) and could easily be a cut from Doves masterpiece, 'Lost Souls'. The acoustic riff and tick-tock electronic beats act as a subtle comedown and provide an opportunity to catch your breath from the preceding waves of aural candy. 'Please Don't Send Me Away' turns the spotlight on Jay's lean vocal deliveries again. While they hog the attention, the music that surrounds them is startlingly accomplished.

'Remember This Feeling' includes some input from ex Six By Seven (Nottingham noise meisters) member Sam Hempton. Hempton carves out wondrous sonics using a drumstick to play his guitar. The song is positively drenched in bygone signposts; 10cc are the closing influence that springs to mind. 'Become Yourself' is as exquisite a moment as finding a lemon tree in your back yard. The sense of joie de vivre that is expelled will paint rainbows in your mind and have you miming the great harmonica player you once dreamed you'd become. 'The Clearing' is unquestionably Beatles territory a la 'Lady Madonna' right down to the old style black and white vocal production. While it certainly is a blast it lacks some of the intense melody that the other tunes on 'Draw' exhibit. The piano laced 'A World Away' also has fab four leanings. Paul McCartney gets a wink of admiration and the mystique of the harmonies puts the perfect seal on a genuinely thrilling debut.

Matthew Jay's one and only album will draw you in straight away. It is rich in melody and semi-acoustic guitar riffs. Almost every song has true worth and the album is a powerful indictment of Jay's talent. Two years after recording this album Matthew Jay tragically died after a fall from his 7th floor apartment in Nottingham. He was only 24. ‘Draw’ is a fine legacy to his undisputed talent.

Rating: 6.5/10

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