Published for In The Loop 27th August 2021 https://www.intheloopsite.com/post/review-jungle-loving-in-stereo
Bringing the delicious summertime grooves to a miserable August, electro duo, Jungle, are back with progressive floor-filler-fuelled album number three, ‘Loving In Stereo’.
After the immense success of third and, undoubtedly best single, Busy Earnin’ in 2014, followed by a not so difficult second album ‘For ever’ three years ago, it’s safe to say that Jungle had great expectations sat on their shoulders for their third album, but, could the funk infused duo ever let us down? Of course not. The mysterious pair, who like to keep their identity on the down low, as ‘J’ and ‘T’, have treated their music career much like a three year uni course. The first album ‘Jungle’ was where they found their unique sound and pivotal point to hit the ground running with the sophomore album ‘For Ever’. Honing in on their distinctive genre with essences of progression, third and final year lurks around the corner and the dissertation looms in the form of ‘Loving In Stereo’. The lessons they learnt from album one and two are put into practice and refined to a T, some risks are taken and it ultimately becomes the best piece of work of their career (that is, until, they decide to take on an MA). Debut single Keep Moving, released in March, was a monumental dip into the beginnings of the upcoming album. A rising sinister roar and soaring strings welcomed the familiar falsetto tones of the voices behind Jungle just before an eruption of neo-soul goodness. Synth, bass and piano heavy, it’s the music equivalent of Pftizer, Astrazeneca and Moderna, the dose we all need to get moving, grooving and dance floor ready. With a USP that places the duo in a hard to define category of dance/meets indie banger, it can be hard not to create music that surrounds itself around a main selling point. But, Jungle’s musical versatility showcases their talent and authenticity to step away from what people love and to take a risk with the music they create. Tracks 5 and 6, Lifting You and Bonnie Hill, are on the euphonious scale and come as a tropical sunset partnership, much as the joint music video depicts. Both capture funky flicks, infectious bongos and maybe even an appearance from Ron Burgundy’s jazz flute? Despite not being club ready, they’ve got the energy to intoxicate you to feel as though you’re sitting in the evening sun somewhere far away sipping a sangria drenched in a woozy haze. Whilst continuing to ‘keep moving’, Jungle introduced featuring artists on Goodbye My Love and Romeo for the first time in three albums with rising star Priya Ragu and American rapper Bas. Another bold, but fantastic, move from Jungle, especially when the lead falsetto vocals are arguably one of the most significant characteristics of the duo. For those who come to Jungle for the disco vibes, the band haven’t slacked on that behalf. Energetic is one word to describe Talk About It, instantly recognisable as Jungle with a huge resemblance to an old-school 90s club track, it’s fiery and something you can just imagine going OFF when being played live. All Of The Time, is a slow burner which picks up the pace and vibrancy throughout the track to generate a jam packed ‘let all your inhibitions go and throw your hands in the air’ kind of feeling. A syncopated bass rumbles throughout the track alongside claps and twinkles, if saturday night fever was set in 2021, All Of The Time wouldn’t be an out of place lead track. With an undeniable progression, it’s evident that jungle aren’t playing it safe anymore and are here to mark their territory as the new disco heroes.
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