Jay Malinowski
Image credit:  Pirates Blend Records

Bedouin Soundclash's Jay Malinowski Embarks on Solo Career

by Erika Stark - Dr. EP Scarlett High School, Calgary AB Mar 18, 2010

Following a couple of nationally successful albums with his band Bedouin Soundclash, vocalist Jay Malinowski finds his own voice with his solo debut. Bright Lights & Bruises, released last month on Bedouin's own label, Pirates Blend Records, is decidedly more vulnerable and introspective than any of Bedouin's releases.

It's clear that Malinowski didn't take Bedouin's sound and brand it as his own on his solo album. Bright Lights opens quietly with the hopeful piano ballad, There's A Light, which is already startlingly laid-back compared to Until We Burn In The Sun, the first track off of Bedouin's last release.

It's different, and it's good.

Musically, Bright Lights contains quiet and unassuming instrumentation, which draws the listener's focus to Malinowski's well-crafted word.

As the record progresses, Malinowski demonstrates a pleasant degree of musical versatility, interspersing thoughtful and melodic tracks like Remembrance Day and A Vacant Youth with more fast-paced, rocking songs including Narceritos, Songs Never Sung and Loving Hand.

Perhaps the brightest light on this release is its first single, Santa Monica. The song was originally released in 2001 on Bedouin's debut album, Root Fire. On Bright Lights, Malinowski sings this song with such desperation and vulnerability that it seems almost intrusive to listen to it. It's that desperation that makes Bright Lights such an attractive listen. Throughout the album, Malinowski's sincerity is apparent, and his lyrics are intensely personal, which doesn't come as a surprise.

According to his bio on Pirates Blend's website, the singer was shouldering many personal and professional burdens that inspired this record. On Bright Lights, Malinowski releases all those feelings in 13 emotionally available songs.

Although Malinowski has plans to record once more with Bedouin Soundclash, Bright Lights & Bruises is a promising start for his solo career and provides Bedouin fans with a very different side to their favourite lead singer.

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