ATO

On his solo debut, Jim James wrote, produced and engineered all of the songs and played just about every instrument on the album (minus some strings and drums), and in doing so, he brings into focus all of the elements that make his band My Morning Jacket one of the most progressive, powerful and interesting acts of its generation. Though the Americana roots of James’ early days
are mostly obscured by future funk jams, deep electro soul and hazy, dreamy soundscapes with echoes of R&B, talk of “stardust,” layers of reverb-drenched vocals, strange samples and Middle Eastern sax solos, the songs are still somehow rooted in pop with memorable hooks. They’re experimental and psychedelic, like something that our kids’ kids might enjoy at a classy late night party. Free of genres or self-doubt, Jim James is not only expanding the scope of popular music, he’s also building bridges to entirely new terrain.