Messed Up Kids EP

Released in May 2014, the Messed Up Kids EP serves as a companion piece to Jake Bugg's second studio album, Shangri La. Recorded during the same sessions with legendary producer Rick Rubin at his Malibu studio, the EP retains that album's high-fidelity punch while leaning into more atmospheric, folk-rock territory. The title track is a high-energy anthem of social realism, but the supporting tracks - A Change in the Air, Strange Creatures, and The Odds - reveal a more experimental side of Bugg's sound. These tracks utilize more complex arrangements, including subtle keyboard layers and more intricate electric guitar work than his debut. Critically, the EP was seen as a solidification of Bugg's status as a voice for a disillusioned generation, blending 1960s folk sensibilities with the grit of modern indie. It stands as a testament to his ability to maintain a sharp, working-class perspective even within the context of high-end international production.