Album Review: Jape, Sentinel

According to legend – or, for the less romantic among you, the press release – the latest album from Richie Egan, aka Jape, was inspired by “early mornings of no thought” and “whatever the dreams left out on their doorstep” for him. It uses the endless possibilities each new day brings, and the phantasmagorical worlds created during the night before, as fuel for what is arguably Egan’s most daring offering. Indeed, Sentinel is as unflinchingly intimate as it is memorable.

Dense, dreamlike and destined to be dissected over the next few years, some of the material might (at first) seem difficult to digest. However, repeat plays help unravel the record’s initial mysteries. Crammed with folksy, spellingbinding slow-burners (‘I Want To Get Right’), and peppered with synthy soundscapes (‘Sentinel’), this “private record” is never less than compelling. The galloping, playful ‘Willing To Fail’ is a huge highlight, and flirts with a pop approach during its finale. Overall, it’s hard to escape the feeling that Sentinel will earn Egan even more acclaim. Just give it time.

Out now. 7/10