The latest tearaway single from The Jacques takes its name from the familiar Dickensian character, the ‘Artful Dodger’. And, much like Charles Dickens, The Jacques have the propensity to secure a place for themselves in the history books if they keep on producing unrelenting indie anthems such as this one.
Their sound is a blend between cockney guitar pop and Strokes-esque guitar licks, and the vocal has a drawling tone evocative of the Libertines themselves. It’s sloppy – in a sort of slapstick way – but not in a manner that isn’t deliberate. It sounds like a Tom and Jerry chase, which explains the accompanying music video.
The band is signed to Gary Powell’s (of Libertines fame) independent record label and he’s definitely a lucky beggar having signed this lot. The Jacques’ The Artful Dodger EP is set for release on Monday 22nd June – definitely not one to miss.