Jake Bugg has released the new rock-inspired single “Keep On Moving” and spoke to NME about his Green Day-inspired sixth album, “A Modern Day Distraction.”
True to its name, “Keep On Moving” explores the album’s forward-thinking attitude in the face of adversity and regret, as Bugg sings: “I’ve been on the run for far too long / But there’s no turning back.”
“I think it’s important to be self-critical, to push yourself and keep going,” he said NME the meaning behind the song. “But that can be very difficult when people are always trying to bring you down. Some people just can’t stand to see other people happy.”
Talking about the sound of the single, Bugg revealed that he had been listening to Motown and was aiming for something with “that ’60s thing.” “We had the idea of having two melodies – one as a counterpoint to the other – and we really fell in love with it because it had a Rolling Stones vibe,” he said.
The single serves as an indicator for the album as a whole, grappling with the cyclical grind of everyday injustices as Bugg confronts the bleak times that have lingered in the UK for far too long. Sonically, it’s a return to his gritty rock roots, much closer to ‘Shangri La’ (2013) than recent indie-pop escapade ‘Saturday Night, Sunday Morning’ (2021).
“There was definitely that excitement. I hadn’t really felt that since the first few records,” he revealed. “(This album) was more about going back to the influences I loved growing up, a lot of blues, rock and folk music.”
The Nottingham troubadour also cited Green Day’s 2004 polemical masterpiece “American Idiot” as one of his key influences and praised Billie Joe Armstrong’s ability to express everyday frustrations on a grand scale.
Bugg spoke with NME about the path to his sixth album, how he plays to his strengths and how he hopes to bring some optimism into the gloomy mood.
NME: Hi Jake. Tell us why ‘A Modern Day Distraction’ is the perfect title to sum up your upcoming sixth album?
Mistake: “It’s a lyric from the song ‘Instant Satisfaction.’ I hope that the album itself is some sort of distraction for people who listen to it. If anything, I’ve tried to use my last few records as a distraction from a lot of those (frustrations) – I’ve shied away from those kinds of subjects. But it was bubbling. It just got to the point where so many people I know were seeing how frustrating and hard their lives had become. I thought if I could help in any way, it would be through what I do best – the only thing I can really do is make music.”
What is your guiding principle for the entire album?
“I guess it was a social commentary on everything that’s been going on around us over the last few years and the frustration that’s been building up – I know a lot of people feel the same way and I felt like it needed to be addressed. That’s why we ended up making this kind of record.
“I like to think that there won’t be a need for songs like this in the future, but unfortunately the world isn’t such an easy place. If the record helps people in their own lives in any way, then it already more than serves its purpose.”
“All Kinds Of People” has a very special relevance in 2024, especially given the division and violence that has plagued Britain in recent weeks…
“There are things – whether it’s a photograph, a painting or a piece of music – that really reflect the time in which they were made, whether it’s oppression or terrible things that happened in history. There’s always a piece of art that represents a significant point. It’s funny how these things just last forever. I’m not saying this record is anything like that, by the way. But all of these things resonate with people when they reflect how they feel.”
The album ends hopefully with “Still Got Time.” How important was it for you to transform frustration into optimism?
“In a bad situation, hope is the only thing we have. I always believe that even the saddest song should have an element of hope, even a tiny flicker – a note, a lyric. We have to stay positive and hope that we can come together to change the situation.”
Where do you get your hope from in such bleak times?
“Music. Especially when I was younger, it was the only way to escape from everyday life. It changed my life drastically, and for the better. I think it’s important to have a passion for the things you love, because sometimes it felt like music was my only hope in the world. You have to hold on to that.”
Why was now the right time to rediscover the fiery rock’n’roll sound?
“It was important to experiment because if you keep doing the same thing you lose the passion. I know there were a lot of people who would have wanted me to do the same thing as I did on the first two albums. I went down some paths that probably weren’t the best for me, but they allowed me to get back to this point where I feel like I’m playing to my strengths. It was important that I didn’t shy away from the guitar as much on this album as I may have in the past. I’m sure I’ll do some other albums that are very different from what people want – but that’s part of being an artist.”
Is channeling your love for Green Day one of those strengths?
“‘Waiting For The World’ gave me an excuse to bring in a bit of Green Day influence – I wanted something with that energy in the chorus! ‘American Idiot’ is an absolutely brilliant album. For a band to release their biggest album after so many years (in their career) just shows what a great songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong is. To write an album that resonates with so many young people, a whole new generation, is just a testament to her influence. I saw her play ‘American Idiot’ in full, in Marlay Park in Dublin (this June). I was like a 14-year-old boy again, going crazy, drinking shots and singing along.”
What is it about American Idiot that appeals to you personally? I know you are a fan of their 2005 concert film in Milton Keynes. Bullet in a Bible...
“There’s a nostalgic aspect of it, of course. Listening to the record was one thing, but seeing it – some of the songs were played a little differently. I think ‘Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)’ is plucked on an electric guitar, it has such a cool vibe. When they interviewed fans before the show, they understood exactly what the group was writing and singing about. I found that very inspiring – you could see how much it resonated with people.”
It was Green Day’s seventh album, not their sixth – but could “A Modern Day Distraction” turn out to be your “American Idiot”?
“I think it would be incredibly difficult to come anywhere close to the quality of this album! I’m a little worried, but I think it’s my best album. Let’s see what everyone else thinks.”
Jake Buggs’ new album ‘A Modern Day Distraction’ is out on October 4th. See the full list of his UK tour dates below. Tickets and more information can be found here.
NOVEMBER
18 – O2 Academy, Leeds
19 – Roundhouse, London
23 – Barrowlands, Glasgow
26 – O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
