Out Now / Self-Release
Within seconds of hearing There’s An Old Saying it was clear where this album belonged. It is melodic and raw, mature but not old and catered to its genres every need without the predictability to send us to sleep. It’s rare to hear a song and imagine a crowded room fall silent if it were to be heard live but before the first verse was through, you could already hear the pin drop.
It could be said that similarities can be made to Laura Marling; both use fingerpicked acoustic guitars, residing comfortable in the bluegrass genre. A clear country influence is undoubted, while the relationship between the happiness of the major tonality, and the sadness of what we would expect from such a soulful voice seem to work effortlessly – whether or not this is the case.
It would also be easy to forget that Jess Roberts is just 21 years old. Her lyrics and soul could easily put decades onto her past, with the level of emotion not far behind.
That being said, Rose Coloured Glasses should be heard without her age being a factor. To capture such a song with the lack of overproduction and incredible tonal clarity shown here, would be an impressive compliment too many renowned musicians and the focus and drive inside her lyrics deserves uninterrupted admiration.
Nobody Wanted draws in on every natural sound already heard, but also captures her ability to tell a story. Lyric by lyric the sharpest picture is created in our minds about the innocence and disappointment of picking a flower for it to be accepted as just a weed, all the while not skimping on the integrity of the music which seems to never falter.
Jess Roberts is the definition of youthful soul. Each word sung not only captures an emotion, but holds the emotion drawing us, involuntarily, in to the message of the album. A message of loneliness, but also of hope and focus on the future.
For fans of: Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn, Joni Mitchell
Best track: Nobody Wanted
9/10