Jack Pack - Forever

Buy Forever on Jack Pack's debut album here (Amazon UK)
Buy tickets for the inaugural Jack Pack tour here (Ticketmaster)

It's been a great year for Alfie, Andrew, Martin and Sean (collectively known as Jack Pack). They have navigated the post-talent show choppy waters with grace and aplomb, building themselves a dedicated legion of followers in the process. They've charmed the nation with their dapper sartorial elegance, enchanting videos and heartfelt performances. And of course, they've hit the top ten (deservedly so) with their debut album - a collection of soaring tunes that is bound to be nestling under many a Christmas tree this year. Now they are hitting the road, Jack (Pack) with a selection of tour dates in May 2016 (ticket link above, dates below). And to celebrate the rest of us getting to experience what Katy Perry previewed in Dubai (lucky lass), they are unleashing their third single, Forever. A lot has been of the fact that exquisite composer Randy Newman has gifted the lads this unreleased song. The chaps certainly make the most of the opportunity they've been given. It feels like the lost soundtrack to the most romantic movie yet to be made (or - even better - the soundtrack to your most dreamy memories and heartfelt dreams of that ideal love we all search for). Rather cleverly, it's a far more restrained instrumental than the opening track so it gives you a sense of the range and talents of the guys; their ability to adapt the performance to the nuanced needs of the song. Their sweet crooning vocals against the gently sweeping soundscape creates a mesmerising effect that feels like a contemporary Moon River. The piano is particularly blissful, the intricate dance of the keys being the perfect duet partner for the vocals. It effortlessly carries the listener away on a floating cloud of blissful wonder - the middle 8 giving us the most regal formal dance moment you could hope for in such a wonderful song. Absolutely breathtaking. And if all of that wasn't enough, it comes with a beautiful video that shows how important love is in the world. The love of husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, new friends, old friends, brothers, sisters - love is love and it seems particularly poignant in light of recent events that Jack Pack remind us that indeed, love (actually) is all around. Hugs.

(See you in Birmingham, lads)...

JACK PACK LIVE
Saturday 21 May 2016 – Bristol Colston Hall
Sunday 22 May 2016 – Salford Lowry
Tuesday 24 May 2016 – Birmingham Symphony Hall
Wednesday 25 May 2016 – London Indigo at The O2
Thursday 26 May 2016 – Southend Cliffs Pavilion