Album Review: Jess Locke’s Universe – A Gritty Indie Rock Gem from Down Under
If you’re the kind of person who likes their rock with a side of raw honesty and just a pinch of chaos, Jess Locke’s Universe is gonna hit the spot. Released in 2017 on Pool House Records (shoutout to Australia for keeping it real), this indie rock record feels like a late-night drive through your own brain—messy, unpredictable, but somehow still beautiful.
Let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t some polished, overproduced pop-rock nonsense. Nope. It’s got grit. It’s got soul. And it’s unapologetically Jess Locke. The album bounces between moody introspection and explosive energy, blending genres like rock, alternative, and that lo-fi indie vibe we all secretly love.
Now, I’ve gotta talk about two tracks that stuck with me long after the first listen. First up, “Gut Feeling.” Man, this song hits different. From the opening chords, it feels like someone’s rifling through your diary—and not in a creepy way, more like they totally get you. Locke’s vocals are understated but pack a punch, kinda like when your best friend tells you exactly what you need to hear, even if it stings a little. By the time the chorus kicks in, you’re ready to scream along like no one’s listening.
Then there’s “Paper Planes,” which might be my favorite track on the album. There’s something hypnotic about how Locke layers her lyrics over these fuzzy guitar riffs—it’s like watching clouds roll by while you’re lying on a patch of grass somewhere far away from adult responsibilities. But don’t let its chill exterior fool ya; this song sneaks up on you with lines that make you go, “Wait…did she just say THAT?” It’s clever without trying too hard, and honestly? That’s rare.
Other standouts include “Dangerous” (a brooding anthem perfect for staring out rainy windows) and “Sublime Anxiety,” which sounds exactly like its title suggests—uneasy but oddly comforting, like biting your nails during a horror movie. Oh, and shoutout to “Better / Better” for being so damn catchy it loops in your head for days.
What makes Universe special isn’t just the music itself—it’s how it feels. Listening to it is like having a heart-to-heart with an old friend who gets where you’re coming from, even if neither of you have all the answers. Sure, it’s rough around the edges, but that’s kind of the point. In a world full of shiny distractions, Jess Locke reminds us that imperfection can be pretty freaking beautiful.
So here’s the kicker: as much as I love this album, part of me wishes it had come out ten years ago so I could’ve stumbled across it in some dingy record store, dog-eared liner notes and all. But hey, maybe that’s the magic of Universe. It doesn’t care about timelines or trends—it just exists, floating out there in its own little orbit, waiting for whoever needs it most. And trust me, once you find it, you won’t forget it anytime soon.
