Live Review: FEATURE ARTIST: Jack R. Reilly

Wollongong singer/ songwriter Jack R Reilly likens listening to his music to “falling asleep to a John Hughes film while it’s raining heavy outside, then dreaming about Winona Ryder” and I would concur. Get ready to “naaawww” people - this guy is adorable. Reilly weaves intimate stories through his striped back songs, usually only incorporating guitar and vocals. His songs have a neurotic honesty to them, which draw you in with his dulcet tones. These are the kind of songs that make you want to drink scotch late at night looking out into the rain and contemplate life.

He’s also got quite a few covers under his belt ranging from Britney Spears, Beck, Blood Orange, and The Flaming Lips. It’s clear that this guy has good taste as well as a huge variety of influences. Our personal favourite is the short and sweet cover of Joy Division’s 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'. Usually I say don’t mess with the classics ‘cause you will never do them better, but Reilly’s version is so stripped back, shortened, and incredibly cute that he makes it his own little bedroom story, which is hard to resist.

Words by Chloe Cooper