Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders: Hijack!

- Jack Ladder has proven himself to be one of Australia’s most accomplished singer-songwriters with almost two decades of smart, observational music that ranges from the depressive to the hopeful and loving. My fandom of Ladder owes mostly to his excellent live-shows in which he plays for hours on end through his extensive catalogue. Following his 2018 record Blue Poles, Ladder has remained mostly quiet with a few one-off singles and covers to bide the time and keep fans patiently waiting. That trademark baritone voice finally returns with accompanying band The Dreamlanders with a dark and dour outlook on Hijack!

Astronaut is very much in the vein of other space-themed classics, i.e. Space Oddity and Rocketman, with a sense of isolation and cinematic scope. Ladder describes his need to escape -after a long stint in hospital- and ponders what life will throw at him once he is out in the world. The highlight of the song is easily the Dreamlanders with their implementation of strings and bass drums. My only real critique is Ladder’s writing itself which, while nicely self-observant, can be somewhat simple in its rhyming scheme.

I Can’t Drink the Water is a look-in on a life steadily sinking from bad to worse as Ladder feels his dreams crumble around him. The track might not necessarily be referential of the hardships Australia has faced for two years but it certainly feels that way with motifs of fire and disease. The Dreamlanders bring the whole orchestra, especially the synths, to back Ladder’s soaring, moody vocals. While it is certainly depressing, I Can’t Drink the Water uses this as a strength for an extremely compelling, downtrodden ballad.

While not directly about Ladder, Xmas in Rehab seems to take direct influence from the singer’s own struggles with mental-health issues while remaining darkly humorous, with references to watching Cameron Diaz and Bill Murray movies in health facilities. Ladder’s writing is top notch: taking the perspective of someone who hopes to reconnect with family and finally kick their addiction despite being forced to be alone on Christmas; all over gorgeous piano lines and sparse drumming.

There is nothing quite like a Jack Ladder love song and Blueberry Eyes is no exception despite not being about a partner, but rather his young daughter. It's very noir, with soft, emotive chords that bring images of a mysteriously spotlit singer covered in smoke; much like Ladder’s live shows. The description of a child with those deep blue eyes is heart-warming and clearly born from the pen of a father who deeply loves his daughter. Blueberry Eyes is a standout for me and joins the ever-growing list of great Jack Ladder songs.

The Follower is a solid closer as Ladder follows Astronaut in cinematic intentions but this time not alone. Backed by spacey and airy pianos, he demonstrates clear frustration, following a partner through a relationship that's clearly doomed, while wondering how much more he can take. Concluding on a darker note both lyrically and instrumentally fits the record well and closes what seems to have been an emotional period in Ladder’s life.

Ladder’s writing sometimes employs quite obvious and blunt rhymes, but it still comes off as the testament of a man who is earnest in his feelings and his music. Hijack! might be a depressing record led by someone who is clearly going through a lot, but don’t let that deter you. The Dreamlanders alone could make it all worth it, with their gorgeous orchestration, but even more, I'll keep coming back for the misery that Jack Ladder makes so beautiful.

- James Chadwick.