Alt-J frontman Joe Newman has launched a solo project as JJerome87 – listen to his new single ‘Brush Me Like A Horse’ below.
The musician/singer-songwriter’s first track under the alias serves as a preview of a forthcoming full-length album, details of which are yet to be confirmed. He has signed to Mushroom Music/Virgin Music Group for the venture.
In a statement, Newman described ‘Brush Me Like A Horse’ as “the story of a man slowly turning into a horse”.
“This metamorphosis has the world around him forgetting who he is as people begin to care for him more and more like a horse,” he continued.
“This song was inspired partly by something I’d seen a friend go through. They didn’t turn into a horse, but their reputation went through a metamorphosis.”
The bizarre single captures a vibey Californian sound with the energy of Motown, blues and gospel. However, fans will still find some of Alt-J’s DNA and charm as Newman brings his distinctive vocal tone.
“Thirty thousand horsepower, tied to both arms,” he sings in the first verse. “They disappear and I writhe around like a downed pylon/ Not to be trusted/ Not to be trusted/ Turn this ocean liner ’round towards that sun.”
The single was recorded in Los Angeles, California, with producer Carlos De La Garza (Paramore, The Linda Lindas, M83, Cold War Kids). ‘Brush Me Like A Horse’ features a group of session musicians and a trio of female backing vocalists.
JJerome87 will play his first-ever live show in LA soon, with details yet to be announced. He’ll debut other tracks from his upcoming album, and be joined onstage by the same session musicians as on the recordings.
Newman revealed plans for his “Americana, Motown [and] soul” influenced debut solo album during an interview with NME in 2024, when he confirmed that Alt-J would be “taking a break as a band”.
“I’m doing some solo work at the moment,” he told us at the time. “I went to LA and I’ve been working with producer Carlos de la Garza. We’ve spent some time together over the last couple of months and we’re hashing out ideas.”
Newman added: “It’s a really invigorating and new experience. I’m absolutely loving it.”
When asked about the sound and direction of the material, he responded: “When I was younger, I was a big fan of soul music. The musical direction of this new album is Americana, Motown, soul, but then it does inevitably have that kind of odd Alt-J quirkiness; a doom-laden sound to it.”
The Mercury Prize and Ivor Novello-winning Alt-J released their fourth and latest full-length effort, ‘The Dream’, in 2022. Around that time, they played some special shows to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut album, ‘An Awesome Wave’ – including a gig at London’s O2 Academy Brixton.
Elsewhere, the trio spoke to NME about working with Soulwax and Wet Leg during an interview at Mad Cool 2022.
