John & Jehn – The Luminaire, London, 23/04/08

You love John & Jehn . And, if you don’t yet then you surely will soon.

Their songs are like darts from Cupid. As a couple, they’re the kind of spotlessly cool and genuinely charming people that everyone wants to know; onstage they effortlessly create the kind of authentic dynamism and tension that The Kills would kill for.

At tonight’s packed-out album release party, Jehn stands stage left as always, alternating between playing a huge Farfisa organ and bass guitar, shiny-eyed and fresh-faced, staring ceaselessly and adoringly across at her counterpart. John is stick-thin and art-star cool, playing driving, reverb-ridden rhythm guitar punctuated with bursts of electrifying noise. The songs are light of touch, lean and melodic, ranging from the exhilarating rock-out of ‘Fear Fear Fear’ to the Gallic shuffle of ‘My Friends’, from the giddy, lovestruck pop of their signature song ’20L07′ to the achingly beautiful duet ‘Make Your Mum Be Proud’.

John & Jehn are something to cherish, a celebration of love, spirit and integrity as much as music performers in the traditional sense; two people joined together in making music that’s so much more than the sum of it’s parts.

You love John & Jehn. And, if you don’t yet then you will soon.

Photo by Steve Mullick