Mercury Prize nominee Emma-Jean Thackray is set to bring her unique blend of grunge, pop, soul, and jazz to AB.
The Guardian once hailed her as “A crossover star,” while she describes herself as a “multi-dimensional multi-instrumentalist and producer.” Her second album, Weirdo, has just been released on Gilles Peterson’s prestigious Brownswood label. Entirely recorded and performed in her London flat, the album features standout guest appearances from Kassa Overall and Reggie Watts. The result is an organic, genre-blending masterpiece.
Weirdo has earned Emma-Jean Thackray a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize 2025, with the winner to be announced on Thursday, 16 October.
On Sunday, 26 October, she will present her album at AB in a special double bill with Joe Armon-Jones.
Read here how the international music press has responded to her bold and inventive sound:
- ★★★½ ‘Weirdo’ van Emma-Jean Thackray klinkt fris en fruitig – op de dansvloer slaat ’t zelfs zó op je heupen – maar wie naar de teksten luistert, hoort een opeenstapeling van weltschmerz en zelftwijfel’ – Humo
- ‘Faced with unimaginable grief, the UK musician responded the only way she knew how: with an album of buoyant jazz-funk steeped in melody, vibrant color, and a sneaky sense of humor.’ – Pitchfork
- ‘Weirdo is a revelation. Just like when you first listen to Yellow, this album also flies in all directions musically, but all the songs fall into place after several listens. It’s clear that this album has everything to amaze you, make you dance and keep you constantly surprised for years to come.’ – UK Jazz News
- ‘Door de vele invloeden uit future soul, funk en hiphop in combinatie met haar vocale loopjes doet Weirdo denken aan het werk van Thundercat, maar dan ontsproten uit de vingers van een vrije jazzvirtuoos. Weirdo is niet te vangen, maar klinkt ook nergens zweverig of willekeurig. Soms ingewikkeld, altijd luchtig.’ – OOR
