Jonah’s Whale is the first track on Jon Allen’s fourth album, Blue Flame. The track links together 1970s soul with hints of funk and rock. The bouncing bass, the horns, everything works together to make a stand-out lead-off track. A cooler, chill sound predominates during the album’s next two tracks – Keep on Walking and Since You Went Away. With a subtle nod to performers like Rod Stewart and Jim Croce, Allen’s able to make a stellar, contemporary sound that is tremendously reverent of previous approaches and genres. It’s Just the End of the World is a bit different from the rest of the fare on Allen’s latest. There’s a bit of hip 1960s surf and psych sound that is weaved into the spirit of this track, where Jon’s gritty vocals stand in bold opposition to the smoothed-out bass line and on-point drums presented in the effort.
If You Change Your Mind is an effort that whips in a bit of country and western to the mix. It’s the raw passion and longing that will draw fans in, while the guitar / keys dynamic ensures that this effort has considerable replay value.
Hold You In My Heart showcases that the second half of Blue Flame is at least the same quality as the first. Everything’s on point during this effort, especially Allen’s vocals. These vox pull double duty – they do not only tell a story, but go above and beyond in adding another layer of melody to the mix.
You is the final effort on Blue Flame, a wholly emotional effort that will have fans focused on in until Allen completes his final note. The album is strong from beginning to end, an ode to a previous era in music that will speak to a whole new generation of fans.
Top Tracks: It’s Just the End of the World, Hold You In My Heart
Rating: 8.7/10
Jon Allen – Blue Flame / 2018 OK! Good Records / 12 Tracks / Domain