We Were Promised Jetpacks-These Four Walls

We Were Promised Jetpacks are the third most recent band out of Glasgow Scotland, who are gaining quick acclaim and are touring the states with their hometown pals The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit (incidentally the other two Glasgow bands). In contrast of the three bands Jetpacks are a happy medium in style and sound. There is a loudness and adoration for guitar driven rock present in their sound that sometimes can exceed the reputation of the Twilight Sad. At the same time, Adam Thompson is able to beseech our sympathy and find a sort of relatability to the words and themes in his songs, much like Scott Hutchinson of Frightened Rabbit. These Four Walls is the debut album from the Scottish quartet, the band described the title in an interview as something addressing the concept of one’s upbringing and the values instilled by his/her family and the transformation of that home life’s groundwork into its functions as an adult.

“Its Thunder Its Lightning” slowly introduces the listener to the band’s sometimes gloomy but idealistically youthful perspective on life. Thompson’s delivery of lines is a melodious belch of words finding a pleasant harmony with the high-energy up-tempo instrumentation that power drives us through the album. An abundance of catchy hooks and anthem like choruses retain a sing a long quality, creating a difficulty at times to dismiss its continuous presence in your head. “Conductor” the album’s fourth track, slows down the overall pace to exhibit Adam’s stripped down Scottish dialect gently serenading us through the tribulations of his young adult life.
“A Half Built House” much like its title investigates new realms in the band’s direction. It showcases an allusion for post rock qualities creating an instrumental piece hinting at an epic path in the band’s musical intent. Each member’s presence resonates throughout the album, from Darren Lackie’s tribal sounding beat in “Short Bursts” and Sean Smith’s tings on the xylophone, accenting the melodious guitar work by Adam and Michael Palmer. By the concluding tracks of the album, “Keeping Warm”, the band resumes instrumental leg-stretch with a majestically grand build up raising the listener’s spirits while summing up the album’s focus on an introspective reflection on becoming an adult. We are left feeling pity and dealing with our own miseries as scathed heart of lead, Adam is exposed and expressed through is angst ridden, thick Scottish accented, cracking voice declares a final exhalation of affection.

We Were Promised Jetpacks

Jetpacks-Myspace