In the age of complex lyrics and songs filled to the brim with double meanings, UK band Jungle stands out with their minimal lyrics, modified audio, and heavily instrumental tracks. 

Since the creation of JUNGLE, they have released four albums, “Jungle” in 2014, “For Ever” in 2018, “Loving In Stereo” in 2021, and “Volcano” in 2023. Jungle was created by childhood friends and next-door neighbors Tom McFarland and Josh Lloyd-Watson who grew up together in Shepherd’s Bush, London. 

Their interest in music started before the formation of JUNGLE; back when they were both members of Brit-pop band Borne Blond. After Born Blonde released one album in 2012, McFarland and Lloyd-Watson splintered off and created JUNGLE in 2013. Vocalist Lydia Kitto first collabed with JUNGLE in the 2021 single “Keep Moving” and later joined the duo and helped co-write “Volcano”.

The main emphasis of JUNGLE is authenticity, which is highlighted with their one-shot music videos. The videos feature many highly skilled dancers, such as Will West and the Ghetto Funk Collective, who perform various routines to emphasize the overall “vibe” of the song.

Jungle’s debut album “Jungle” features a lot of neo-soul influence and male-dominant vocals, as well as groovy electric guitar backtracks. They do feature some fun instrumentation, but not as much as the later albums. The overall feel of this album is very laid back, with R&B and soul elements. 

“For Ever” continues with the soul vibes, but it also incorporates a more upbeat feel with some nu-disco elements as well. The iconic bass and electric guitar is still featured in the backtrack, but this time it’s mixed with some techno. “Loving In Stereo” keeps building off of the disco vibes and continues leaning into a more upbeat vibe, emulating 1970s funk; it also incorporates some newer voices with Jungle’s first collaboration. 

“Volcano” has garnered the most attention out of all of Jungle’s albums, as “Back on 74” was a popular background audio on TikTok. This album really highlights the energy that Jungle strives to put forward through their collaboration with dancers – being present and being alive. It is a culmination of all of the previous elements of their prior albums, as well as more varied instrumentation and a higher integration of other artists, which honestly makes for a really fun and unique vibe.

Jungle also collaborated with Tyla and GAP in GAP’s “Linen Moves” campaign, as well as artists such as Channel Tres, Erick the Architect, Bas, Priya Ragu, Roots Manuva, Mood Talk, JNR WILLIAMS, and 33.3.

My Top Ten:

1. Let’s Go Back
2. Back On 74 (Volcano)
3. Dominoes (Volcano)
4. Us Against The World (Volcano)
5. All Of The Time (Loving In Stereo)
6. Busy Earnin’ (Jungle)
7. Problemz (Volcano)
8. Candle Flame (Volcano)
9. Heavy, California (For Ever)
10. Truth (Loving in Stereo)

For fans of Chicago, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, and Daft Punk.