The Jacques serve a healthy dose of nostalgia in their new single ‘I Never Want To Be Your Boyfriend’, a cheery, crackling tune that incorporates the most striking, recognizable elements of eighties music into what is an amusing reversal of classic English phrasing.

Grounded by a luscious bassline that gives away to dreamy synth chords and low-key drum machines, the song is a whirlpool of themes and incantations that ultimately feel secondary to the masterclass being constructed through a clever blend of classic eighties musical patterns.

Lead singer Finn O’Brien’s low, grumbly voice crawls alongside the sharp electric guitar notes, at once too heavy and muffled for the nature of this song. Whereas the verses take their time, oozing out languidly, the chorus belts out the title of the song with pride and longing. O’Brien has said that this was a deliberate choice on part of the songwriters. “I Never Want To Be Your Boyfriend’ is definitely our poppiest song to date... for that reason it’s really fun to play live for me. I wanted the lyrics in the verse to be some of my most surreal - the idea was to have them sound like idioms or commonplace sayings, when in reality you contemplate them and they don’t hold typical meanings at all. Then the choruses go back into full-on pop song register. I think that’s why I chose to repeat the lyrics in the verse - it’s a bit of a parody of the classic English saying.” he says. 

Even their poppiest song to date is a bit unconventional for the metrics used today; nevertheless, it is kooky, fresh and dreamy. A song that would fit in perfectly with the scores of dive bars and bittersweet film credits, it underscores why the Jacques have come a long way since their formation over five years ago now.  They are scheduled to go on an extensive tour around the UK, including sought-after venues in London, Liverpool, Manchester among others. They will also be making a much-awaited international foray with shows being scheduled in Paris, at Supersonic. Seeing how they have accumulated quite a remarkable fan following across the continent, it will be fascinating to see how they engage the crowd at their shows. 

 Indie-rock