It would be too easy to mention where Jayler got their inspiration from or to compare them to recent acts criticized for being deemed insufficiently innovative. Let’s judge it on its merits; if you’re craving unapologetic, guitar-driven adrenaline, Voices Unheard needs to be on your listening pile. The debut full-length from the incendiary UK quartet builds on the raw spirit of 1960s and ’70s giants with big voices and bigger riffs, injecting it with modern, youthful, and unfeigned grit.
Although the band members call themselves swaggering classic rock throwbacks, they are anything but knock-offs; these four young guys live and breathe this style and sound. The eleven songs here are driven by soaring vocals, jaunty guitars, and a perfectly locked-in rhythm section; halfway through there is the subdued ballad Bittersweet, but otherwise you’ll hear up-tempo stompers like future hits Down Below, Riverboat Queen, The Getaway, and Over the Mountain. You can raise your fists in the air again.
Voices Unheard—produced by George Perks—is out digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through Silver Lining Music. Featuring James Bartholomew (vocals, guitar), Tyler Arrowsmith (guitar), Ricky Hodgkiss (bass, keys), and Ed Evans (drums).