FRIENDLY REMINDERS: Mirrorwriting- Jamie Woon

Jamie Woon‘s biggest misfortune was to emerge in a year that favoured big soundscapes. Commercially, the charts were dominated by joyful, bold pop tunes- this was a time when ruby-hued hair was sported by at least 1 in 10 girls of a certain age thanks to Rihanna’s Loud era, and Jessie J claimed BBC Sound of 2011 off the back of her excellent first single, Do It Like A Dude, which remains the only exciting thing she’s managed to produce in the last 3 years. On the critical side of things, James Blake had emerged as the new underground darling, thanks to pioneering a now ubiquitous fusion of heavy electronic production with vulnerable, raw vocal performances. Frank Ocean had just dropped Nostalgia, Ultra while Katy B raked in the plaudits for her debut album that also helped reignite a new passion for UK dance music in the mainstream. Oh, and Adele did quite well with a record titled 21, but let’s be honest, we’ve heard enough about that one.

 Here’s that video that FKA twigs hates.

Woon placed 4th in BBC Sound rankings and after some initial success, everyone proceeded to write him off in favour of the more dramatically novel music being produced by Blake. Every review of his LP, Mirrorwriting featured an unfavourable comparison to his onetime rival and some musing about Woon’s position “in the middle of British music”. The critics thought he was good, but failed to be boldly different- the public just didn’t seem to pick up on him altogether and his album peaked at number 15 in the charts.

They’re missing out. Mirrorwriting is actually a gorgeously nuanced ode to a nocturnal cityscape that should be best enjoyed while slowly making your way home after a night out. The majority of the production is handled by Woon, Royce Wood Junior (who, 3 years on, is starting to make waves of his own) and acclaimed electronic maestro Burial, resulting in a succession of low-key alternative R&B tracks that would blow up on Soundcloud if released now. It comes as no surprise that Woon co-produced BANKS’ killer cut This Is What It Feels Like, with songs like Secondbreath, Gravity and Night Air showcasing an early incarnation of the moody, minimalist backdrop that helped propel BANKS to stardom.

You can download Mirrorwriting here (here’s a tip: do it) but first, here’s the 4 standout tracks that cement the album as an underrated gem:

1) Lady Luck

Infectious melody, smooth buttery vocals… how can you resist? 

2) Middle

This one’s surprisingly danceable and makes the most of rhythmic percussion to really raise the temperature during the course of the track. You’ll be out of breath by the time Woon’s crooning the coda.

3) Spiral

Simply stunning; that breathy chorus is absolute perfection. To be frank, this song should be the soundtrack to every fireside coupling. Put it on your playlist now. 

4) Gravity

Sparse, chilly and emotionally wrenching, this also features an incredible hook, supported by gently pulsing synths. Think pacing past entwined couples as your phone fails to vibrate with the text you’re waiting for.

Follow Jamie Woon on Soundcloud now.