Review JAYLER “Voices Unheard”

Led Zeppelin and Free provided the blueprint for Jayler and their debut album. Drawing inspiration from the magic of 1970s classic rock, the four-piece have released their first full-length studio album, titled “Voices Unheard”. This stunning debut album features eleven tracks that bring the spirit of classic rock’s heyday into the current century.

Jayler aren’t the first band with such passion and musical influence; consider bands like Greta Van Fleet. The guys don’t hide their influences, which becomes apparent from the opening track, “Down Below”, which follows a short harmonica-driven intro. “Down Below” is a groovy rock song with James Bartholomew’s vocals, reminiscent of a young Robert Plant. This captivating opener creates curiosity and excitement, generating a desire to hear more of Jayler’s music.

As well as Led Zeppelin, I was also reminded of the early Whitesnake, when David Coverdale and his bandmates released albums like “Trouble”. Blues-soaked hard rock fuels songs like “Riverboat Queen”, while “The Getaway” is a straightforward rock ‘n’ roller.

“Bittersweet” is a calm, emotive moment on the album. The acoustic guitar and Bartholomew’s vocals are key to this touching song, which showcases Jayler’s musical range, a quality that also resonates through “Hate to See It End”. The latter is a well-crafted rock song with a catchy melody. At the same time, “Hate to See It End” contains some rougher edges, showcasing a band that has found the sweet spot between melody and hardness.

“Over the Mountain” evolved from a jam session, and the free-flowing nature of the tune is evident when you listen to it. The song’s lyrics are also responsible for the album’s title, as the chorus includes the line “we are the voices unheard”, making “Over the Mountain” the perfect title track.

“Lovemaker” is one of the band’s earlier songs and has its roots in 2023, when Jayler wrote music with the aim of recording an album, which ultimately didn’t work out. The timing wasn’t right back then, but “Lovemaker” survived and found a place on “Voice Unheard”.

“The Rinks” is the album finale that showcases the songwriting talents of the four band members. It is an epic album closer and a multifaceted tune with well-crafted melodies.

“Voice Unheard” will certainly be heard. Jayler deliver a stunning debut album that brings classic 1970s rock into the 2020s. With its vintage mood, this album celebrates the greatness of rock music, and the fact that the younger generation pays homage to the roots of bluesy hard rock in such a stunning way proves its timelessness.