Joseph J Jones at the Social

Joseph J Jones played his first ever sold out show last night to an adoring crowd in the basement bar of the Social near Oxford Street. With his smooth and powerful vocals it is unsurprising that this Essex boy is starting to attract attention following the release of his new EP, Hurricane.

Joseph, or Joe as the crowd affectionately heckled at him, began with the title track from this EP, Whisper to a Hurricane. As the title suggests this is a number that builds, displaying both the singer’s muted tones and the power he is capable of producing. He has an impressive control over his voice, and is able to give just the right amount to each line, maintaining selective vibrato only when it adds to the song.

On stage, Jones seemed relaxed, casually switching from the intensity of his music to greet the crowd with an “oi oi”. The Social is a small and painfully cool venue, incredibly dark – although the simple lighting and clear sound fitted well with the singer’s style. Taking centre stage, Jones was accompanied by just a piano player and an mpc, who together created a heavy and resonant sound that drove through much of the gig, helping to produce Jones’s style (something of a soulful cross between Sam Smith and James Blake).

By far the weakest song of the show was Jones’s only cover: his take of Kanye West’s Love Lockdown. Though wobbly to start with, as he built in confidence it became a decent and original cover, but lacked the conviction that comes through in his own work.

Jones finished on a high note with a track destined for his upcoming and first album: Gospel Truth demonstrated all that is promising in Joseph J Jones – gritty and lush in equal measure. He is definitely one to watch!

Molly Lempriere
Photos: Connor Picken

For more information about Joseph J Jones and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Whisper to a Hurricane here: