Blk Jks – Zol!

Whoever put together the World Cup’s entertainment probably thought putting “Africa’s Best New Band” behind Alicia Keys sounded sensible. One wonders if that person had actually heard the band, though – given the progressive, edgy nature of South Africa’s Blk Jks. Their recent EP, Zol! begins with a what resembles a lo-fi Johannesberg tribute to Bowie (“Iietys”), suggesting Blk Jcks are decidedly not repackaging African music for the rock crowd. Instead, they’re submerging it in dark, vaguely proggy songs like “Bogobe,” with its haunting, almost creepy vocal overlap and bubbling bass. Even on the title track, the most traditional of the lot, there’s still a roughness around the edges that reminds you this ain’t no Graceland. Though moody and powerful, Blk Jcks haven’t quite come into their own yet – the songs are not entirely memorable in some cases – but this EP certainly suggests interesting things to come on their next album.