GUM / Ambrose Kenny-Smith
III Times
p(doom) Records [2024]
Album Overview: Jay Watson, known for his roles in Pond and Tame Impala, started his solo project GUM to explore his musical ideas independently. With six albums to his name, GUM is Watson’s unrestrained creative outlet. Ambrose Kenny-Smith, associated with King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and The Murlocs, joins him on this project. The duo first connected in 2009 after a Tame Impala concert, bonding over shared musical interests and forming a lasting friendship. Ill Times is a collaboration between Watson and Kenny-Smith, blending their unique talents. It showcases a mix of Watson’s instrumental creativity and Kenny-Smith’s lyrical contributions. Watson and Kenny-Smith worked remotely, exchanging ideas and tracks, which allowed for a spontaneous and organic development of the album. This remote collaboration resulted in a dynamic and diverse collection of songs that reflect both artists’ influences and musical resumes. The result is a body of work that is as enjoyable to listen to as it was to create, with each track offering a unique glimpse into their creative synergy.
Musical Style: The album features a groove-centered sound with influences from funk and soul, avoiding conventional genre patterns. It emphasizes strong rhythmic elements and deep melodies, creating an engaging listening experience. Ill Times is a different listen compared to the pair’s well-known bands, as its funky sway undertones create a foot-tapping and head-nodding moment around every corner. At the same time, the record has several classic rock arrangements that sound familiar but fresh making the overall album a true hybrid of their talents.
Evolution of Sound: Watson’s instrumental experiments combined with Kenny-Smith’s soulful lyrics push both artists into new musical territories. This album allows them to explore styles that their other bands hadn’t previously ventured into, resulting in a refreshing and innovative sound. With that said, III Times is still not too far out of what you might expect coming into this record given the names on the spine.
Artists with Similar Fire: The groove on this record finds connections with classic artists like Ohio Players and War, due to the funky and soulful vibe. The vocals have a retro soul feel like current artists Neal Francis or Aaron Frazer. It should also not be a surprise that the collaborative spirit and exploration of new sounds here can be likened to their involvement with Tame Impala and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
Pivotal Tracks: Key tracks include “Old Transistor Radio,” a big funky banger that highlights the overall tone of the album, and “Dud,” a deeply personal song co-written by Kenny-Smith and his late father. The title track “Ill Times” and “Power Trippin’” also stand out for their lyrical depth and musical richness. “Fool For You” is a memorable big soulful bluesy rocker that is grandiose to the point that it sounds like a set closer.
Lyrical Strength: The lyrics on Ill Times are marked by emotional depth and personal experiences, particularly Kenny-Smith’s reflections on loss and moving forward. Themes of resilience, introspection, and life’s ups and downs are woven throughout, adding a layer of sincerity and relatability to the album.
GUM / AMBROSE KENNY-SMITH LINKS
GUM Instagram | Ambrose Instagram | Bandcamp | p(doom) Records
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