Photo Credit: Dan Kendall

Six years after last releasing music with The Magic Gang, Jack Kaye returns solo with Go Easy, a five-track EP that sees him stepping into a new chapter of his songwriting. Bringing together familiar faces in former bandmates Angus Taylor and Paeris Giles, alongside new collaborators Asya Fairchild and George Boorman, Kaye builds a record that carries the familiar charm fans know him for while pushing his songwriting beyond its usual indie footing

Opening track ‘Dora’ is the perfect introduction to Kaye’s solo material. Released earlier this year in May as the first glimpse into the EP, it arrives with all the warmth of a classic indie favourite. The guitars are bright, the chorus immediately sticks, and there’s a carefree quality that makes it perfect for summer evenings and long drives. Fairchild’s female harmonies add an extra layer of colour to the track, setting the tone for one of the EP’s standout features. 

‘The Weight’ shifts the mood. As the title suggests, there is something heavier underneath the surface here, with Kaye exploring a more conflicted side of his songwriting. Layered vocals from Asya Fairchild and Angus Taylor add depth to the track’s production, building on the emotional tension that runs throughout. 

It is by the third track ‘If I Needed Love’ where Go Easy really starts to separate itself from Kaye’s previous work. Rather than dwelling on heartbreak, Kaye explores the bittersweet acceptance that can follow it, delivering lyrics that are open enough to invite interpretation. The final minute of the track is a particular highlight, giving way to a standout instrumental passage of guitars, bass and keys. The production alone shows Kaye pushing beyond his usual indie foundations, leaning into a looser, more textured sound reminiscent of Dr. Dog. 

‘Big Blue Eyes‘ sees Kaye leaning into the softer side of the EP. While the instrumentation remains bright and upbeat, there’s a more vulnerable edge running through his vocal delivery, creating an interesting contrast between the song’s sound and its sentiment. It’s a softer moment on the EP, but Kaye never lets it lose the melodic pull that runs throughout the rest of the tracks.

Closing track ‘Emma‘ brings the energy back up, ending the EP on one of its most uplifting moments. Full of yearning, Kaye captures the feeling of waiting for someone to finally notice what has been there all along. Fairchild’s backing vocals return once again, while the guitar solo towards the middle of the track adds one final lift before bringing the record to a close. 

At just five tracks, Go Easy feels like a brief introduction to where Jack Kaye is heading next, but there is more than enough here to make the wait worthwhile. The familiar indie charm remains, but across the EP Kaye proves there is plenty more to explore beyond what listeners already know. Go Easy is a strong return from a songwriter who still knows exactly how to make a memorable tune.