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Ron Records [Release date: 23.01.26]
New music from Laurence Jones is always welcome. Jones has an impressive career that includes multiple British Blues Awards and more than 50,000 units shifted since his debut in 2012. His often incendiary and virtuoso blues rock playing mark him out as a guitarist of rare class.
However, this album is a serious shift in direction. As the album title might suggest, ‘On My Own’ is a solo outing. What we have here is a collection of 11 stripped-back tracks of acoustic guitar dominated by personal storytelling and an intimate sound.
Jones has been very clear that the album is a reaction to on-going health concerns. He has been a long-term sufferer of the debilitating Crohn’s disease, which over the last couple of years has led to exhaustion, pain and a lot of re-assessing career options. ‘On My Own’ is also the first release on his own record label and he has himself booked the acoustic tour in support of the album. Quite the independence reset.
In common with his full band material, there is a crossover feel to many of the compositions, alongside some explorations of deeper blues. But that’s where the comparisons end. With the absence of electricity and instrumentation, the autobiographical introspection comes sharply to the fore. The title track most obviously pulls on that vibe: ‘This is the right time/Leaving it all behind/I can feel it in my bones/I’ll be doing it on my own’, he sings. This is a slice of classic acoustic blues and the references to his inspirations, Robert Johnson and Lightin’ Hopkins, are respectfully made on this track especially, and ‘I’m Giving Up’ later on.
Lyrically, ‘One Life’ and ‘Get Back Up’ are in a similar vein, the latter has a lovely hit of a cappella at the close. There is much more emphasis on the vocals on this type of album and we see a different side to Jones’ voice throughout. Co-producer Wayne Proctor has elicited a mellow, rich, less harsh tone. It works well.
A simplicity to the structure and the spare lyrical content bring a refreshing change and a stark vulnerability to the songs. But there’s also enough here to head off a spiral into melancholic numbness. ‘Ain’t Comin’ Back No More’ has shades of blues rock with plenty of body and ‘I Gave My Life To You’ finds some space to change up the vocals and bring a brighter guitar signature. That tone follows through on ‘Do You Feel the Same’, with some lovely fretwork.
Penultimate track ‘Middle of the Night’ is musically the simplest and bleakest piece on view, and there’s a captivating quality to its frugality. Compare that with the album closer, ‘Beautiful’ – the only genuinely upbeat song on the album. It begins with a hint of country guitar twang before a big-hearted pop chorus lifts the track high, from where it looks over the shoulder at a gathering of moody blues behind.
This is a serious departure for Laurence Jones and if you are curious about how his new acoustic material blends with a fine back catalogue in the live environment, check out Andy Nathan’s excellent review here.
Health and heartiness must come first, and as much as a return to coruscating solos and fat old riffs would be wonderful, Jones has found a way to keep his music alive. More power to him. ***½
Review by Dave Atkinson
Gig review (January, 2026)
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