SLOTS will be released in early 2025, but if you pre-order on Vinyl or CD now via SPOTIFY or BANDCAMP , you will receive a free download on December 20th. What a lovely Xmas present from CJ !
One thing leads to another and after seeing ‘CJ WILDHEART’ supporting Mike Monroe recently, I was so taken by the performance, I had to get my hands on the new album. Thanks to the man himself, it wasn’t long before SLOTS landed in my downloads. An album CJ considers the one he thought he would never finish, after a rollercoaster of a year. He describes SLOTS as keeping true to his ‘Punk n Roll’ roots and the ten tracks, produced by the renown Dave Draper are just that.
The tracks may be short and sweet, that’s CJ’s style, but they are stuffed with harmonies, slick guitar and rousing lyrics. ‘Another Big Mistake’ gets this album underway and it’s fast, it’s ear smacking and it’s tremendous. The slap continues on ‘Beg’ which unravels with more swarming discourse. Entangled guitar and Jason Bowld’s sharp drumming supply the backdrop to the ‘in your face’ vocalising. The first single ‘The Baddest Girl In The World’ has more rooted rock and roll. The melody slams with ‘Wildhearts’ punches and it rises on the chorus, ending on a up-roaring punk style attack, this is superb. Watch the video HERE
As the album arrives at ‘Coma’ it’s already evident, that there’s no room for sentimental ballads or lengthy instrumentals, this is pushy, ballsy and loaded. Punk inspired, maybe, but the raucous behaviour is one that’s close to CJ’s heart and embedded in his doctrine. ‘The Kids’ is street wise and capitulating, more brash rock than previous tracks and the sound of the guitar is immense. I’m reminded of ‘The Clash’ during the low end notes of ‘In The City’ and then the melodic twist ensures it parties, with uplifting and bouncing chords. ‘Bent’ on the other hand has the most grinding of riffs and totally furious vocals. It rushes so quickly with sawing guitar strokes on repeat, that you are dazzled with its ferocity and I love how it plays out, gutsy and viciously attractive. Back to more lushness with ‘You Got The Best Part Of Me’ which is overfilled with the well known flying rhythm. CJ sings with highly charged passion and it’s just a ‘punked’ up love song. The title track ‘Slots’ is something of a standout and one of the showpiece tracks. The riff mixes with charming vocals and the bass is demonic. Such a contrast of noise and there are even notes that squeal with pleasure. Last of the ten is ‘I Don’t Know What It Is’ and it’s time to spin those chords with gusto. Plenty of crashing loudness with more fast forward vocals to put this album to bed and it’s been a stunning ride.
Photo credit David Rattenbury
CJ is very proud of this solo album and so he should be, similar to my review about the live show, he’s combined all the elements of his bands, ‘Honeycrack’, ‘The Jellys’ and naturally ‘The Wildhearts’ to formulate his own hybrid of sleazy punk rock and it’s intoxicating.
Keep those eyes peeled on CJ’s Socials & Website for more news and lovable posts HERE
‘CJ’s own hybrid of sleazy punk rock and it’s intoxicating’.
HIGHLIGHTS – The Baddest Girl In The World, Bent, You Got The Best Of Me, Slots.
Track Listing – Another Big Mistake, Beg, The Baddest Girl In The World Coma, The Kids, In The City, Bent, You Got The Best Part Of Me, Slots, I Don’t Know What It Is.
***********************************************************************
Drums by Jason Bowld / Produced by Dave Draper
Thanks to CJ Wildheart
LINK TO RECENT LIVE REVIEW SUPPORTING MIKE MONROE HERE
