Jaymay - Autumn Fallin’ (Heavenly)
3/5
Like many of the conversations taking place at the Norah Jones-soundtracked dinner parties this CD is tailor made for, Autumn Fallin' might be stilted and a little inconsistent, but in part it's also beautifully human.
What would otherwise be a silence is now filled with filled with three minute niceties like 'Sycamore Down' and 'Blue Skies', while the nine minutes of dramatic monologue that is'You'd Rather Run' holds interest despite itself with anecdotal amusement, seductive clever lyrics and a catchy sea-sick composition. 'Blue or Grey' is a heart-shaped, dancing Haribo sweet, tip-toeing across a xylophone, opening the album with a quiet husky confidence which remains throughout.
Another high-point is 'Hard to Say'; an accidental ode to Regina Spector, the toy piano plonk, squeaky trumpet and vocal kook stand out like a drag queen in a playground. 'You Are The Only One I Love' epitomises the genre, and Jaymay's craft, with giggly backing vocals, unimaginative yet strangely attractive primary school instrumental accompaniment and so-sweet-it-gives-me-a-tooth-ache romantic poetry. Whilst most of it certainly isn't perfect, only 'Big Ben' gravely drags, with characterless backing vocals over inaudible guitar in a dull city love song with no trace of originality, emotion or tune.
Supposedly 'anti-folk' female singer songwriters have softly trampled into every ear this season, filling the public with candy-floss break ups and aching rhyming couplets, choking us sweetly with their pleading vocals, smothering us with pillows of acoustic pillows. However unlike much of the trite, uncreative dinner party fodder on offer, Jaymay (real name Jamie Seerman) has produced a record with parts that aren't completely unworthy of your time.
Stream three songs from Autumn Fallin' HERE.
Artists in this article: Jaymay
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