Review: JONES’ debut a delicious slice of smooth electro-pop

JONES, “New Skin” (37 Adventures)

The music business is littered with folks named Jones — there’s Tom Jones, Norah Jones, Rickie Lee Jones and Howard Jones, for starters. So make room for another, the all-capital JONES.

That’s the stage name of London-bred singer-songwriter Cherie Jones-Mattis, whose super debut album “New Skin ” is a delicious slice of smooth electro-pop warmed by her inviting voice. It’s the perfect CD to fire up for late-night chilling, rainy-day walks and late-night rainy day walks.

JONES, who put out the 2015 EP, “Indulge,” which Sam Smith called “beautiful,” previously collaborated with the exciting British duo HONNE, and they’ve returned the favour by co-writing the R&B-influenced and infectious “Melt” as well as “Walk My Way.”

Other standouts include the return of the slinky “Indulge,” produced by Raffertie, the nicely complex song “Hoops” and “Bring Me Down,” which happily finally brings out some of Jones-Mattis’ funky side.

The album’s songs — Jones-Mattis had a hand in writing every one — explore love and obsession with great hooks and atmospheric synths. It’s a strong debut album from a young artist who earns her capital letters.

As she sings in “Wild” — “I will keep on fighting ‘cos I’m fighting for love/ Pressure on my lungs now I’m singing out.” To which we say: no more pressure, long may you sing out.

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Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits