“Britain‰’s answer to Johnny Cash‰” should throw out his early-00s pop/rock records.

Jake Bugg is most famous in the UK for having a debut album shoot to number one at the tender age of 18 , here in the good ole U. S. of A, he‰’s best known for his song “Lighting Bolt‰” in a Gatorade commercial. The first four songs from his second album showcase his successful mix of British folk, Johnny Cash-esque songwriting, Britpop and early Arctic Monkeys style garage rock/post-punk and show promise. However the next four tracks are, for lack of a better word, dreck. Songs like “Messed Up Kids‰” and “A Song About Love‰” have all the lyrical subtlety of a sledgehammer, and their way too slick production clashes with Bugg‰’s nasally whine. Bugg redeems himself a bit with the last couple of tracks, especially closer “Storm Passes Away,‰” which would sound right at home in Folsom Prison circa 1968. Shangri La has its moments where Bugg shines, but its lows are really, really low, and should be avoided.

RIYL: Oasis, Johnny Cash, early Arctic Monkeys, Bob Dylan

Recommended: 1-3, 12