Jaco Jaco is the solo project of Jacob Theriot, a Tulsa native now settled in Philadelphia. Formerly of the band Sports, a project that formed in high school with his older brother and childhood friend, Theriot branched off to pursue his solo project. Gremlin is the follow up to his debut solo album under the Jaco Jaco moniker, entitled Splat. Gremlin came from “a somewhat confused and lonely state of mind,” says Theriot, “It’s a journey through reflection and longing for something real – an inner dialogue giving me advice on navigating life when it feels like it’s working against you.” While the title is a reference to the campy creatures from the 1980s movie, the album is more of an homage to the film’s spirit of irreverence and introspection.
“What’s It Like in the Sunshine” starts off the album with a groovy kick, while the lyrics suggest a psychological immobility and the yearning for happiness and clarity (sunshine). “Woman” dials back the sound a little bit, and this allows Theriot to open up about honesty and the complexities of relationships. The song prominently features a rich bass line, and as the first track written for the album, it sets the foundation for the album’s overall sound, which echoes consistently throughout the remaining tracks. Continuing on the theme of openness, “Favorite Kind Of People” celebrates emotional availability, backed by a sound that is more funky and bouncy. The breeziness of “I Won’t Bother” and references to summer refer back to the album’s first song. This track digs further into fleeting connections and uncertainty in the future of some relationships, urging for transparency as sung in the chorus: “don’t be shy with me.”
“Power” covers the awareness of inner demons and how unchecked toxic traits can ruin a relationship or bond. The song’s hook, “let the devil in you, if you want him to step on all your flowers,” highlights the danger of allowing destructive tendencies to take root, ultimately damaging the beauty of a connection. Metaphors like “[light] was dancing, where the shadows fell, I felt like chancing” illustrate the fragile nature of meaningful things and reflect the definition of Power in the song, highlighting the destructive potential of unchecked forces. The next track “Family Trends” is about letting go of a romantic connection and being ok with being “just friends.” The plucky guitar evokes a sense of conclusion and peace, it almost sounds like the theme song from a television sit-com. The last song “Gremlin World” references another movie from Theriot’s childhood, Chicken Run. The final moments on the album are filled with sinister-sounding chuckles, maybe a realization that perhaps self-awareness and emotional reckoning come full circle. These final sound bites hint at an acceptance of imperfection, playfully acknowledging the darker aspects of human nature, an open-ended reflection on the complexities of interpersonal and intrapersonal connection.
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