Catching up on another 2024 release. I first discovered Gary Clark Jr. back in 2014 when a co-worker turned me on to his live album. As a fan of blues and blues rock, that record blew me away — great songs, outstanding guitar work, and an overall killer vibe. I’ve seen Clark live several times since then, and he never fails to put on a fantastic show.
Unfortunately, I’ve found his studio albums since that breakthrough to be something of a mixed bag. It often feels like he’s deliberately distancing himself from his blues rock roots, instead leaning into a mix of soul, hip-hop, R&B, jazz-funk, and even croony ballads. His latest effort, JPEG Raw, continues in that direction — which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your taste.
There’s very little blues influence here. While there is some solid guitar work, it’s not as front and center as in his earlier material. The album features a number of high-profile guests, including Stevie Wonder and George Clinton, among others.
On first listen, I didn’t care for it much. But over time, some of the tracks grew on me — to the point where I now genuinely enjoy about 70% of the album. Songs like “Don’t Start” and “This Is Who We Are Now” aren’t usually my style, but they eventually won me over.
I can’t fault Gary for expanding his musical palette, and there’s certainly something to admire in his willingness to evolve. That said, I still prefer his older, more guitar-driven material. JPEG Raw isn’t a great album, but it definitely has its moments.
by Steve Sly
