Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Overall Rating
8
One-Sentence Verdict
A warm, witty, and hugely enjoyable album that shows Paul Heaton still knows exactly how to write a great song.
What I Expected
With Paul Heaton’s track record, I was expecting a decent album with plenty of good songs, but I wasn’t expecting Jenius to be quite as much fun as it turned out to be. Heaton has been writing songs about relationships, everyday life, politics, drinking, and human stupidity for decades, so there was little reason to expect him to suddenly change direction here.
Instead, Jenius feels like a confident continuation of what he has always done well, while still offering enough variety to keep things interesting. The involvement of Rianne Downey and producer Ian Broudie also seems to have brought the best out of the legend that is Paul Heaton.
The High Points
The biggest strength of Jenius is simply how much personality it has. Heaton still possesses that knack for combining witty, observational lyrics with melodies that are immediately accessible, and there are plenty of songs here that are genuinely fun to listen to. The album moves between pop, country, ska, folk and more theatrical moments without losing the sense that you’re listening to a Paul Heaton record.
Rianne Downey is another major part of what makes the album work. Her vocals bring a real energy to the songs, providing an excellent contrast to Heaton and adding another dimension to tracks such as Favourite Kind Of Idiot and I Want The Job. Her vocals on She Ain’t Pretty are particularly outstanding. I don’t want to lazily drift into comparing her to other female vocalists Heaton has worked with, but the chemistry between the two works fantastically well. Of course, their partnership is well established now and has been a great addition to both studio albums and live shows.
There’s also plenty here for longtime Heaton fans. The humour, warmth and slightly mischievous approach to songwriting remain intact, while Ian Broudie’s production gives the record a polished but lively sound. It feels familiar without simply being a rehash of The Beautiful South or Heaton’s earlier solo work.
Standout Track
Favourite Kind Of Idiot is the standout track for me. It’s an upbeat, country-tinged number with a wonderfully infectious quality, and it feels like the kind of song that could have sat comfortably on a prime-era Beautiful South album.
Downey’s vocals add even more energy, while Heaton’s trademark humour and affection make the song instantly likeable. Such is the strength of the album that your standout track may well be completely different.
Is It For You?
If you’re already a fan of Paul Heaton, The Beautiful South or The Housemartins, there’s a lot to enjoy here. Jenius has the wit, melodies and storytelling that have made Heaton’s songwriting so enduring, but you don’t need to be familiar with his entire back catalogue to appreciate it.
Anyone who enjoys clever lyrics, melodic British pop and songs that don’t take themselves too seriously should find plenty to like. It’s a particularly enjoyable listen when you’re looking for something warm, lively and fun rather than an album that demands intense concentration. Jenius, indeed.