Jake Minch Debut Album ‘George‘ Displays Raw and Honest Artistry
If it’s not already a name you know, his will be now. Jake Minch, a standout singer-songwriter, has released his debut, self-titled album George and it’s one to remember. His career prior to this album includes an EP ‘how many’ and a few more releases. George finds a 22-year-old storyteller exploring grief, guilt and identity through the complexities in his personal relationships. The record encapsulates growing up and leaving home.
The album is introduced with what sounds like a room full of instruments finding the melody. Track one, “Nostalgia Act,” dives into the idea of always having that one person you can never impress, in this case his first big crush, no matter how much success you can attain. “I didn’t come here to play hometown hero / I’m in this state for my check then I’ll walk / For old time sake will you let me down gently once / We can close out this restaurant.”
From this we enter a three song run, “Drawing A Tattoo,” “Fucked Up” and “Fingers and Clothes,” two of which were the singles for the album. “Fucked Up” is the first sonically loud track of the album, and there’s much more of that to follow. Everyone knows the feeling of seeing someone you love do something terrible to someone else you love and feeling guilty, and that’s how Jake described the song in a TikTok. The first verse tells from his point of view “I said baby I’m a different man now / Said I’m changing and she said sit down” and the second verse is from the point of view of a phone call from a friend. The honesty of his behavior in this track, but also throughout the album, adds more vulnerability than your average artist.
More vulnerability is on display in track five, “Dad’s Song,” which illustrates his experience in losing his father. “Mom started telling me I’m getting your eyes / After she told me the way that you died / I find solace in making a promise / I think I’m breaking in slower forms of me.” There’s talk of running from problems, keeping promises, and how writing music is a constant in his journey through life.
The album pivots to two tracks, “Unicef” and “First I Was,” that slows it down. “Unicef” seems to be a wide range of specific experiences he has learned from while growing up to the man he is now. Verses list off: “Earning coins for Unicef / Buying an XBox / Loving for the first time / Sleeping in the same bed.” A tame first half of the song leads to a full band based outro that completely surrounds you in such a unique arrangement of sound. Just like “Unicef” beginning slowly, “First I Was” is one of the most stripped back songs on the album, seemingly centered on a relationship and all he knew of himself. “I was all out of love when I met you / But first I was trying to get it bad / Man I’m an addict / But first I was against all that.” This song is described by Jake as a goodbye message.
Press photo, credit: Adali Schell
Almost a complete 180 from the previous tracks, “Say Uncle” shows a new side of Jake. As close to a rock song as he’s gotten, “Say Uncle” is a play on the idiom about getting someone to surrender or admit defeat by saying the phrase, in this case, through one of his relationships. He described the song in a TikTok saying “this is a song about grabbing someone by the shoulders and being like ‘I know you are gay and you have a crush on me and I am either going to hear you say it out loud or I am going to shake you until you do.’” The track is carried by a heavy guitar line and clashing drums with Jake belting the phrase “say uncle” on repeat throughout, “And I’m fine babe I’m fine / You can slow down baby I’m not leaving til I hear it / Come on come on / Say uncle”
The following two tracks fans may recognize from previous tours, “Changed Things” and “For Leaving.” The first of the two, “Changed Things,” is about his relationship with his sister. The gentle production lets the lyrics tell the story. “I have this dream where I am back at the old house / And I am running up those stairs / I am getting you out.”
“For Leaving” in contrast, has production that builds alongside the emotions being grieved in the song. This track focuses on grieving someone while standing right in front of them. He’s begging for forgiveness and bargaining with his reasonings for ending things. “All my enemies all have held a mirror to me / And I'm sorry / I thought I was ready to be seen / Baby, forgive me for leaving / Baby, you knew how I was.” After the heartbreak of the last two songs, “A Mistake You Only Make Once” is an interlude of voice memos and time to catch your breath, into the piano and synth ballad closing track “Twice.” This song brings it all home.
Every song on George has something someone can relate to, and that’s the beauty of Jake’s music. You can catch Jake on GEORGE ON TOUR, and find all his music wherever you listen. “And I started singing and people are listening” he sang, and that will be true for years to come with this debut album.
