Rachel Jack to release second EP with a third on the way

The Aberdeen-based singer beginning to show a prolific streak in her writing as she works alongside producer Dunt to hone her sound.

Her first EP was the more folksy-sounding Calgary Tapes, whereas her newest release Magazine Girls takes a more pop-based approach.

The singer feels it was not so much a conscious decision to shift, but more of a gradual development of her craft.

Jack tells The Weekender: "I never really thought about it as a move, there was nothing crafted about it where I sat down and thought: 'I want to write a pop record'.

"I wrote these songs around the same time as The Calgary Tapes, and my next EP Grief is the Price. They are all part of the same story that relates to my career change from a business management background to a songwriter.

"That's really how I want to continue. Writing one style of music doesn't appeal to me.

"I quit my full time job after 12 years because I was bored, and I don't want to get bored of writing music."

There are four tracks on the new EP: the title track in Magazine Girls along with Warrior, Stop and For You.

They were all produced with an underlying dance-pop or bedroom-pop feel but the but the stories behind the tracks are hard-hitting.

"Lyrically it's quite a confrontational record," Jack adds. "I was really angry when I wrote it for reasons I don't have the energy to bring back up.

"The theme of the EP is about how we present ourselves to the world, showing only the Photoshopped version, and how society and the unrealistic standards placed on women, both in how they look and act, has shaped that.

"Warrior and Stop confront misogyny, harassment and bullying; and For You is placed at the end, purposefully.

"Even though these lessons have been difficult ones to learn, they've taught me so much, and I'm grateful for that."

Jack linked-up with fellow UWS classmate Dunt to work on the new tracks – firing ideas back and forth to one another remotely.

NO REST: Rachel Jack has been active since coming into the music scene. Picture by AG Wylie.

Having collaborated in the past, it seemed like a logical move to continue, but the symbiosis is clear.

The singer looks back: "Apart from recording vocals, we weren't in the same room making these tunes which kept the process fun as we didn't know what the other was working on until we opened the files.

"I think Dunt is an exceptional producer and I agree that we work very well together, but I can't take credit for that as it's the constant standard he produces too.

"If you listen to the Magazine Girls EP, followed by SHEARS, the new Stanley Odd tunes and then Dunt's solo tunes, one after the other, the quality of his output is consistent.

"For me, he's up there with the best of the best, and I feel so lucky I got to work with him.

"We don't have plans to write more pop songs together, but he plays the drums in the 3rd EP, and I'd imagine we will find opportunities to work together in future.

"I think the successful collaborations come when people see you as an equal. It goes back to that thing of matching a lyric to the right music or letting the music dictate the story – whichever comes first – instead of forcing a style or an opinion.

"Dunt has a very original sound but he creates plenty of space for the artists style to come through as well.

"I think it takes a high degree of emotional intelligence to write and produce like that, and if there's any ego involved, that's when collaborations tend to fail.

In December, Jack and her band travelled out to AnTobr, Mull, to record a third EP with Gordon McLean.

Some finishing touches may well be needed to complete it, but it is hoped it will be released some time in 2021 as well.

Jack adds: "I'm also working on a few other things in the background. It's a little too early to mention those, but it's going to be a busy year, even without any gigs.

"I'm regularly writing new song so maybe an album would be possible next year, but not on the cards for 2021."

The Magazine Girls EP will be released on Friday, March 18.