Listen to Wait For It

Nashville’s JP5 is the latest band fronted by Atlanta native Joseph Plunkett. It’s also his most fully realized, the product of a guy who knows what he wants: a great rock n roll band fragile enough to fall apart, but strong enough to keep the method ahead of the mess. The loose precision of JP5’s live show belies the deep confidence behind such choices.

Plunkett’s songs are full of clean pop hooks and classic rock arrangements, just strange enough to surprise. The lyrics lean to the dark side of things, but there’s enough light at the end of these tunnels to keep a party going. All this, delivered with dynamic vocals that fill a room whether they’re being faint or furious, or more likely here, a compelling blend of both. The backing vocals, too, are spot on, whether they’re amping up a song’s subtle tension, or nudging a catchy tune into the realm of anthem.

Plunkett is joined on guitar by Nashville native and way-Way Outsider, Cy Barkley, and Adam Meisterhans, a West Virginia transplant, and super shredder, who will soon be sucking it up and letting us all call him “Masterhands.’ JP5 also has one of the most solid rhythm section’s going, with Jem Cohen, also of The Ettes and Parting Gifts, on bass, and Rachel Hortman, on drums, who plays with the authority of someone you suspect is secretly in charge of a lot more than the drum kit.

"Wait For It" was recorded at the Bomb Shelter by Andrija Tokic.