London-based act Ballin’ Jacks captivate on their latest single “Silently,” unveiling an expansive sound with glam-rock, baroque-pop, and doo-wop nostalgia. Additional vocal work comes from Hannah Tilson (of This is The Deep).
Described by Ballin’ Jacks as “a duet on the theme of communication,” “Silently” prances on glistening piano and gentle acoustics initially. Gorgeous vocal harmonies complement a suave vocal lead, pleading “I just try to be polite, so let’s not fight.” The responsive backing vocals — “I just don’t know if you’re real, ’cause I never know how you feel,” — haunt throughout, feeling like a subconscious source of yearning.
The energized section to follow builds into a lovely, title-touting hook that devastates with its emotive pull and eventual saxophone-laden charm, reminiscent of The Last Shadow Puppets in tone. “Silently” is a consuming success from Ballin’ Jacks, touting a melodic and aesthetic richness.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of January 2023’ Spotify playlist.
