Hawk in the Nest soars on his stunning, soul-drenched debut album

Avi Jacob has always written like someone living three inches from his own heart, but 'Hawk in the Nest' feels like the moment that heart cracks open and lights up the whole room. This record is a beautiful collision of grit and grace, a widescreen blend of indie-soul, acoustic warmth, and brassy, full-bodied arrangements that practically radiate heat. If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a bar-room storyteller stepped into a cathedral of harmony, this is it.

What’s immediately striking is how alive this album feels. The band around Jacob is its own living organism. The rhythm section moves like muscle and heartbeat, the horns arrive like sunlight through stained glass, and the keys flicker between tenderness and storm-chasing intensity. It’s a collection crafted with the patience of a sculptor and the pulse of a late-night jam session, guided by collaborators who understand exactly how to elevate a voice without overshadowing it.

And it's Avi’s voice that is the emotional anchor pulling every song toward something humbled and unvarnished. On the groove-heavy lead single 'Don’t Leave Me This Way', he leans into swagger and desperation in equal measure. While every track pulses with the immediacy of someone who’s lived every word.

Jacob’s story runs deep: from early gigs inspired by familial support, to years on the DIY circuit, relentless touring, and eras of reinvention. But 'Hawk in the Nest' feels like the moment all those chapters converge into a single, crystallised voice. This is the sound of an artist finally stepping into his most expansive form.

'Hawk in the Nest' is a warm-blooded, full-throated, beautifully crafted testament to what music can do when an artist stops holding back.