I’ve always admired Paul Heaton’s ability to blend clever lyrics with catchy tunes, and it’s not fading anytime soon. Most of “Jenius” is fucking great. I love how warm, lively, and full of personality it is, with songs suited for a sing-along in a pub, rather than to listen to in a quiet space.

I fucking love the Celtic-punk knees-up spirit running through it; songs like ‘Favourite Kind of Idiot’ express that, and I’m so fucking proud of Rianne Downey since I first struck up a conversation with her during lockdown. It’s fucking mental to see her on telly or hear her on a record like this; it’s like a surreal experience. Anyway, back to the song: I fucking love the energy, and how the song feels like it would get messy in a pub when it’s played. ‘She Ain’t Pretty’ is another one that showcases that. Paul also moves through folk, ska, country, and pop without ruining the album’s feel.

Like I said, I am buzzing about little Rianne, and she was fucking amazing on this. Her voice is a perfect fit with Heaton’s. Rianne isn’t just a supporting artist, but a key part of the record. She is great on ‘Favourite Kind of Idiot’, ‘I Want the Job’, ‘She Ain’t Pretty’, ‘Do Not Ask Me’, ‘Don’t Lean on Me’, ‘The Whisky Did’, and ‘Before Before’, and those songs wouldn’t be the same without her. Even though she’s not mentioned on the other tracks as a featured artist, she is clearly there. I recognise that voice anywhere.

There are also trademark tracks like ‘Sad Songs and Lawsuits’, which is ska-influenced, and ‘Can’t Get Next to You ’, the opener sets the tempo for the rest of the album. It also has an American pop-punk intro. ‘Jet Black Sky’ is more atmospheric before the album’s catchy and energetic tracks return.

I can’t remember which track it is towards the end, but there’s a nod to the guitar riff chorus of Jimi Hendrix Experience’s ‘Voodoo Child(Slight Return)’. Anyway, all 15 tracks matter; there’s no filler here. Paul hasn’t lost the knack for writing about relationships, drinking, people, politics, and speaking his mind. The lyrics are often observant yet funny, but the production pairs those subjects with lively, fun music.

“Jenius” was fucking amazing. Even when the tempo calms, the album picks up again with that fucking great Celtic-punk energy. My favourites are definitely the ones with Rianne.

I fucking love the record’s warm, funny, melodic, and wonderfully rowdy nature. You can definitely tell that it was a fucking joy to be part of the recording sessions. If anyone hates this, they’re just a miserable cunt. This was an absolute pleasure to listen to.

Song recommendations: ‘My Favourite Kind of Idiot’, ‘She Ain’t Pretty’, ‘Before Before’

9/10