EMMA-JEAN THACKRAY – WEIRDO (Parlophone) (2 x LP; 2 x CD) (2025)

Emma-Jean Thackray gets right to the heart of the matter with her direct lyrics and hooks and use of vignettes as bridges like ‘Something Wrong with your Mind’ and ‘Please Leave Me Alone’ mingling with the uber funk of ‘Save Me’ and the fuzz bass led ‘Maybe Nowhere’; it sounds like tight ensemble playing but isn’t as the most remarkable thing is that Thackray plays everything! When she sings ‘What is the Point’ we get it and an instant connection is made and also when we descend into the ‘Black Hole’ with Reggie Watts delivering the vocal punchline.

Emma-Jean Thackray is in the vanguard of British crossover jazz alongside the likes of Matthew Halsall and Yaatri. Sure, there is a repetitiveness about the punchlines but this is a deliberate ploy and part of the charm of the music. ‘Where D’You Go’ asks big philosophical questions while ‘Wanna Die’ is a stark but honest evocation polished off by trumpet (used more sparingly than on her excellent ‘Yellow’ album) ‘Staring at the Wall’ is also self-revelatory, seemingly about depression and withdrawal with the solace of taking one day at a time and waiting for another sunrise. ‘It’s Okay’ is a soulful rap with guest Kassa Overall’ with luscious trumpet and keys and a minimalistic motif typical of Thackray’s compositions. I couldn’t help thinking that some of the funkier music is a distant cousin of Wendy and Lisa’s marvellous “Eroica” album.

Most of all “Weirdo” makes you think and is an utterly immersive and compulsive listen.