#006: Bob Junior - No One Does It Better Than You

I’m tired of dreaming on a hopeless day
Will you wake me up so we can slip away

If you Google Bob Junior, you don't find Bob Junior. Or at least, not this Bob Junior. You may come across the Tanzanian Bongo Flava musician, or this badass fallen king. Delve deeper, and you come across my kind of Bob Junior. This guy.

This Bob Junior snuck up on me via one my social algorithms, an unexpected, completely uninitiated introduction to his bouncing, effervescent music bringing an instant smile to my face. This Bob Junior appears to be some kind of guitar pop savant, a solo act who is also an insatiable collaborator. His debut album, 2024's friends, vol.1, is jammed full of co-productions with names recognisable, and names less so. There's the smooth, 80's infused AOR of Paul Cherry, the pulsing synth pop of Inner Wave, and one Bethany Cossetino, a bonafide indie rock star for listeners of a certain age. Everything on the album is performed with verve, with energy, and every collaboration bears the imprint of the guest whilst being shot through with Bob's own joie de vive. My favourite is probably All In Vain, a classic dancing through the tears jam, but it might be No One Does It Better Than You, co-written and performed with Alfie Templeman, that best exemplifies the albums strengths.

Full of hooks and a brash assurance, aware of its cheesiness and absolutely revelling it, No One Does It Better Than You bounces along with the confidence that comes with knowing you're only ever a few moments away from a killer chorus. This song makes me do a silly walk whenever I hear it, a wiggle when no one's watching, and sometimes even when they are.

When you've digested friends, vol.1, be advised that friends, vol.2, featuring An Awful Lie favourite Alex Lahey, in addition to Jordana, The Walters and Hot Flash Heat Wave, is due on 23rd May.

Find Bob Junior online here.