Jack River (real name: Holly Rankin) has described her previous album, 2018’s Sugar Mountain, as “a place to escape the past”, whereas Endless Summer “is for escaping our future”.
And although this record was written before she fell pregnant, Rankin – also an activist – acknowledges, “The reality of the Endless Summer we are entering globally has become even more tactile for me after the birth of my child.”
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
“I wanna take you out into the sunshine/ Make it real life, baby” – have you ever heard a more syncable song than Endless Summer’s opener, Real Life? (Warning: the film clip stars old men in budgie smugglers sunbaking.) Lie In The Sun (“Do you wanna lie in the sun tonight?/ Do you wanna, do you wanna, can you do it right?”) is an irresistible, sun-kissed earworm and the title track (feat. Genesis Owusu’s suave guest vocals) is about running away with that special someone.
So many new releases contain gloomy, Covid-influenced material at present, but Endless Summer instead sends postcards from aspirational Hot Girl Summers. The record isn’t just about escapism, however: softly strummed closer Stranger’s Dream, featuring elongated strings, reflects on the untimely death of Rankin’s younger sister.
As its title suggests, Jack River’s second album – mostly produced by Matt Corby – contains lashings of sugary pop confection (think: Steal My Sunshine by Len) and hooks for days.
Label: I Oh You!
Release date: June 16.
