The James Hunter Six - Off the Fence (2026)
This album wins me over more on feel than on force. The band sounds assured, the grooves are lived-in, and James Hunter’s voice carries a quiet authority that makes the material go down easily. There’s a confidence here that comes from knowing the form inside out, and when the pocket locks in, it’s genuinely satisfying. I enjoy being in its company, even if I’m rarely surprised.
That said, the record plays things a bit too safely to rise higher. The songs are solid but rarely stretch themselves, and the emotional range stays narrow — cool, controlled, and tasteful almost to a fault. Nothing misfires, but nothing really spikes either. It’s a well-crafted soul album that earns its place through consistency and musicianship, even if it stops short of creating the kind of tension or urgency that would make it feel essential rather than simply very good.
Genre: Retro Soul
Country: UK
Final Verdict: 63% (Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 25th / 47
Highlight: Particular
Made me think of:
Leon Bridges
Durand Jones & The Indications
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
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