| Thirty One | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Jarryd James |
| Cover: | Thirty_One_by_Jarryd_James.jpg |
| Border: | yes |
| Released: | 11 September 2015 |
| Recorded: | 2014–2015 Auckland, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Sydney |
| Genre: | Indie pop, alternative R&B |
| Label: | Dryden Street, Universal Music Australia |
| Producer: | Joel Little |
| Prev Title: | Jarryd James |
| Prev Year: | 2015 |
| Next Title: | High |
| Next Year: | 2016 |
Thirty One is the debut studio album by Australian singer-songwriter, Jarryd James. It debuted at number 2 on the Australian ARIA Chart in September 2015.
At the J Awards of 2015, the album was nominated for Australian Album of the Year.[1]
Throughout 2014, James was working as a full time youth worker.[2] James supported New Zealand group Broods on their late 2014 Australian tour and Angus & Julia Stone on their February 2015 tour.[3] His breakthrough came early in 2015 when his debut solo single “Do You Remember” climbed the charts, eventually peaking at number 2. James signed a record deal with Universal Music Australia.[4]
The album was announced on 23 July 2015.[5] Thirty One was recorded in Auckland, L.A., Melbourne and Sydney and was co-written by Joel Little, Malay, Pip Norman and (his longtime friend) Matt Corby.[6]
Roshan Clerke from The Music gave the album 4 out of 5, saying; “The bittersweet themes of 'Do You Remember' permeate the rest of this album" adding, “The songs here are made to reflect the kind of seminal tracks that inspired James himself."[7]
Jessica Thomas from Renowned for Sound gave the album 4.5 out of 5, saying: "His new record is all about minimalism; you won't find exaggerated or elaborate structures. Rather, it's all about simple rhythms centered around a message." She added: "Ultimately James has delivered a beautiful blend of soulful pop and subtle EDM that makes Thirty One a refined, fresh collection of inspired tracks."[8]
Anabelle Ross from Rolling Stone Australia was more critical, giving the album 3 out of 5. Ross said: "Despite having two star producers on board [...] the Brisbanite falls shy of expectations with his debut LP. In fact, perhaps the biggest disappointment is that the record meets our expectations almost exactly – there are no surprises and nothing half as immediate as 'Do You Remember' [...] and so we have tracks that are not awful but indistinct, and tending to bleed into one another, turning the album into one long, rather sooky lament".[9]
Claudia D'Amore from Sticky Trigger was also critical giving the album 4.5 out of 10. D'Amore commended first single "Do You Remember" but said the album reveals a common theme of "familiar drumbeat, clicks and snaps" and "the record overall becomes easily forgettable."[10]
Thirty One debuted and peaked at number 2 in Australia, behind Bring Me the Horizon's album, That's the Spirit.[11]