Jake Shears - Jake Shears

It’s been almost fifteen years since Scissor Sisters released their first collection of outrageously flamboyant pop into the world. A lot has happened in that time - not least the band taking indefinite leave back in 2012. This year saw vocalist Jake Shears leave New York for New Orleans: a city which oozes with the spirits of jazz and blues, party vibes and romanticised images of the Deep South.

Leaving the Big Apple in order to write both his autobiography and the album in hand today, there was definitely an uncertainty as to what we would find on first listen. For many artists with their first solo endeavours comes stylistic change but from the outset, Jake’s debut brings the vibrant glam pop his name has become synonymous with.

Though the core of his songs seems familiar, the synths of old often find themselves secondary to honky tonk guitars, with strings, horns and stomping blues guitars bringing a whole new dimension to the Jake Shears we are used to: the album holds a part of New Orleans in its grooves. A resilient spirit that burns bright with vibrant Mardi Gras spirit only occasionally revealing a glimpse at a slightly shadier underbelly.

‘Jake Shears’ is a traditional pop album which pays homage to the greats: Bowie, Elton John, Freddie Mercury and more, offering up the ballads alongside the dancefloor fillers.