It looks like Jack Garratt is going to have an exciting year following the release of his single 'Worry'. With endorsement from the likes of Zane Lowe, this humble guy from a little village in Buckinghamshire is headed for things he'd never expected.
The idea of a one-man band is often thought of as more of a circus act than something that would book out Wembley. However, since the success of Ed Sheeran (with his loop station) one-man bands are really making it. Jack Garratt is a perfect example of this. Usually seen on stage drumstick in hand, fingers on the keyboard, guitar round neck and singing, he manages to create as much sound as a rock band - which is pretty impressive. Audiences no longer expect a stage full of dancing band members, nowadays an empty stage with a guy, a guitar, and a heck load of wires is far more effective.
Jack Garratt's rock/electronic sound has developed to be soulful through his years of experience and passion. He started writing at 12, his first song got him into the finals of the Great Britain Junior Eurovision Contest. He uploaded his music to BBC Introducing at 17 with his song 'Worry' and explained his musicality (he plays several instruments from guitar, bass, drums and piano to the trombone, African percussion and the mandolin) and commitment to writing and playing. This landed him their support from the start and a spot to perform at the Reading and Leeds Festival last year.
Jack's music is predominantly made of rock/electronic sounds, it is hard to classify him into a genre, he likes to dip his toes from alt-rock to late night R&B to moody-electronic and so on... Jack could typically be compared to Jeff Buckley in some tracks, and the likes of James Blake and Oh Wonder in others. However he does set himself apart with the intense contrasts between his soulful voice as it wavers in falsetto against pacey drum beats and clashing electronic sounds from guitar and keyboard. Each track has a different style but surges to the same intensity. The music he produces reflects how he challenges himself and the boundaries of music. I know you'd think that his experimental tendencies could result in some 'iffy' moments, though somehow he manages to balance out just the right amount of interesting ideas to keep me listening to and liking every song.
I think that Jack Garratt is definitely worth a listen, he seems to be so invested in his music and it really is beautiful to hear him progress from track to track. I'd love to hear more about his influences. I'm also very interested to see when it all blows up into something amazing for him.
SPOTIFY -
https://play.spotify.com/artist/1Zp054Jc86WVKCxKEqZGOA
So, there goes one of the most iconic, talented, proper musicians Britain has ever made. I have to admit that I did shed a tear at the news of Bowie's death this morning, he's always been one of my favourites. I have a poster with the lyrics to Heroes on my bedroom wall. 
