Download: Andrew St. James, ‘Tapes’

Seraphina Lotkhamnga on December 8th, 2014

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At age 19, San Francisco’s Andrew St. James has released his album “The Shakes,” and this wasn’t his debut. He’s already garnered accolades for his first release “Doldrums,” which was recorded when he was just 17. With bands like the Orwells, Cherry Glazerr, the Bots and Kitten, young’uns continue to make their rounds in the industry, but few go beyond their angst and chic rock ’n’ roll attitude. St. James, though, sings lyrics such as “I stand through the gates of sorrow” with maturity that would leave fans of Bob Dylan and Tallest Man On Earth perplexed if they ever discovered he’s still technically a teen. Sweeping arches in his melodies, sage wisdom in his lyrics and honey-tinted folk timbres on his latest single “Tapes” make hits by the Lumineers seem insincere and Jake Bugg a punk. Whether St. James is the “whole package,” his music certainly doesn’t seem to have a trace of manufactured quality. Complex and layered but honest and humbled, St. James is a good storyteller to have in your headphones.

||| Stream: “Tapes”