Jem

The Welsh-born singer’s debut Finally Woken arrived in 2004. “They”, “Just a Ride” and “24” offer different routes into a record where programmed rhythm, acoustic colour and a clear melodic voice can coexist without every track choosing the same balance. The album has an inviting surface, with more tension beneath it than a description of gentle electronic pop might allow.

Jem’s official history also includes DJing, work around a breakbeat label and co-writing “Nothing Fails” for Madonna. Those details give useful context to the debut’s combination of practical studio curiosity and direct songwriting. The production feels interested in what a small sound can contribute to a complete song.

Down to Earth followed in 2008, while Beachwood Canyon arrived in 2016. The later records provide other settings for the same recognisable delivery, with the title track of Beachwood Canyon also acquiring a Crystal Method remix that places its ideas in a different electronic frame.

The debut remains a particularly coherent introduction, but the attraction is clearer when the songcraft is kept in view alongside the production. Jem can make a phrase memorable without forcing it into a large vocal gesture. The instrumental details supply friction around that restraint, allowing the record to feel thoughtful and immediate at once. “They” gives the idea its sharpest first outline; the albums show how much room there is inside it.