Gary Clark Jr: The Bright Lights EP Review

Gary Clark Jr. is being billed by many as the savior of the blues. Hailing from Austin, Texas the 27-year-old blew his way onto the scene with an electric performance at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival last year.

August 9 saw Clark release a new four track EP titled The Bright Lights. It’s a fitting title as Clark should be seeing plenty of bright lights in the big city, but hopefully they don’t get to his head as the lyrics suggest in the chorus of the title track. The EP starts with the catchy title track, which has a sound that will draw comparisons to The Black Keys. The Bright Lights continues with the upbeat “Don’t Owe You a Thang.” The EP closes with two live acoustic tracks, “Things are Changin” and “Where My Train Pulls In,” which really capture Clark in his element and showcase his fantastic soulful vocals.

Is Gary Clark Jr. the savior of the blues? It is a bit premature to say as there is a bit of a blues renaissance going on right now with some great young artists, but he definitely has the potential to reach the mainstream much like The Black Keys. Clark has a major label in Warner Brothers behind him and with his versatility and talent I wouldn’t bet against him.

The Review: 9/10

The Big Hit

– Bright Lights

EP Trailer