Matinee

"A musical approach that lurches from quirky, ska-inflicted punk pop…to heartfelt, soul-tinged ballads"
- Q

"His super-fast, super-funky sets are astounding"
- GQ

"South London soul boy poet Jack Peñate is the UK's best new singer / songwriter"
- NME

"Schoolboy-like optimism can become indulgent, but faced with an onslaught of catchy skiffle guitar and sing-along choruses, you're dancing too hard to care."
- Observer-Guardian

Jack Peñate's head is full of incredible pop songs and over the last year and a bit, he's been bewitching sold out audiences with them, striking a real chord nationwide and making quite a name for himself. Hailing from South London and only 22 years of age, Penate delivers on many levels and does so with seeming ease.

With his debut album, 'Matinee', he's lived up to his promise and proves he has many assorted bows in his repertoire - from upbeat to downbeat, heartfelt to joyous, he's got all the moves.

Recorded and produced by Jim Abbiss {Arctic Monkeys, Editors, Kasabian}, 'Matinee' is heavy. Forming its core are his three singles to date - the summer swagger of "Spit At Stars", the now anthemic "Torn On The Platform" and his most recent opus, "Second, Minute or Hour", which captures a gutsy Penate at a breakneck speed. Add to that "Run For Your Life", about an attempted mugging on him, injected with Penate's own spellbinding knack for a pop chorus and the classic-in-the-waiting in "Have I Been A Fool?" and you've already got an impressive body of work.

With his deserved reputation for breathless live shows, fans will be happy that live stalwarts making the cut include 'Learning Lines' {the only track here produced by Philadelphian electronic maestro RJD2}, the contented Penate in 'Got My Favourite' and 'Made Of Codes', a bluesy stomper that mutates into a glorious, three minute indie-pop masterclass.

Where a lot of his songs are full of wonder and hope, there's a deeper side to the young man - this guy has got soul. Jack Peñate's talent runs deep, he writes both infectious and intelligent pop songs and with his debut album, 'Matinee', he's undoubtedly made one of the most exciting records of the year!

"The new darling of pop!"
- The Sun

"Penate is becoming an irresistible force."
- Daily Mail