On Friday, the incredible Jenn Bostic will release the follow up to the critically acclaimed album ‘Faithful’ and I have been lucky enough to have had the chance to listen to it. It is an album that showcases Jenn’s ability to defy genre. It is an album that feels authentic and very honest. It is an album that I think takes an already loved and acclaimed artist to a new level.
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Jenn released her last album in 2015 and has spent the time since then writing and recording this new release. It expertly manages to blend all of the musicality that defines the artist. There is a mix of blues, soul, country, pop and gospel. Jenn says of the album: “ it is the album my heart has been longing to make” and this comes through loud and clear in every track.
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‘Revival
‘ has been recorded at the House of Blues studio in Nashville, home of Country music, and has been produced by six time Grammy award winner Paul Salveson. Jenn has won much recognition from both the Independent Country Music Association and the British Country Music Association, but this is not a country album. That being said the honesty and story telling that defines the genre is deeply ingrained in the personality of the release. If there is something that defines the album it is not it’s genre, it is it’s positivity in the face of any of life’s obstacles. It’s soul and honesty makes listening to these new tracks an almost empowering experience.
‘ has been recorded at the House of Blues studio in Nashville, home of Country music, and has been produced by six time Grammy award winner Paul Salveson. Jenn has won much recognition from both the Independent Country Music Association and the British Country Music Association, but this is not a country album. That being said the honesty and story telling that defines the genre is deeply ingrained in the personality of the release. If there is something that defines the album it is not it’s genre, it is it’s positivity in the face of any of life’s obstacles. It’s soul and honesty makes listening to these new tracks an almost empowering experience.
Jenn told me when I chatted with her that she didn’t try to make an album that was radio friendly but simply tried to be honest to everything that has come before. She has however ended up with an album that is packed with songs that will appeal to listeners from all ages and backgrounds. The title track is recorded with a gospel choir and provides a real hair on the neck moment. Jenn was play listed on BBC Radio 2 with ‘What Love Feels Like
‘ from her previous album ‘Faithful
‘ and that featured a gospel choir and Jenn uses this again to amazing effect creating a wall of sound and joy that is incredibly uplifting and restorative.
‘ from her previous album ‘Faithful
‘ and that featured a gospel choir and Jenn uses this again to amazing effect creating a wall of sound and joy that is incredibly uplifting and restorative.[space height=”10″]
Before this final track though comes a journey through the blues infused opener ‘Wrong Thing
‘, through the upbeat more pop feel of ‘Hollywood
‘, into the contemplation and reflection of ‘Lonely
‘ and the rock of ‘Follow Your Own Star
‘. Then we reach the excellent ‘Faint of Heart
‘, a personal favourite of Jenn’s. This is a track that as Jenn says: “shares my story in the most vulnerable way”. Then comes the Country vibe of Love You
‘ and the empowered ‘Before It Gets Better
‘. ‘Gotta Be You
‘ is an anthem for anyone that feels they are on the outside looking in and is an antidote to the way that social media can make people feel that, if they don’t conform, they don’t belong. It is just one of the messages that are the lifeblood of this inspiring album.
‘, through the upbeat more pop feel of ‘Hollywood
‘, into the contemplation and reflection of ‘Lonely
‘ and the rock of ‘Follow Your Own Star
‘. Then we reach the excellent ‘Faint of Heart
‘, a personal favourite of Jenn’s. This is a track that as Jenn says: “shares my story in the most vulnerable way”. Then comes the Country vibe of Love You
‘ and the empowered ‘Before It Gets Better
‘. ‘Gotta Be You
‘ is an anthem for anyone that feels they are on the outside looking in and is an antidote to the way that social media can make people feel that, if they don’t conform, they don’t belong. It is just one of the messages that are the lifeblood of this inspiring album.[space height=”10″]
Jenn has said that: “if I’m going to be putting a message out into the world I want it to be one of hope, love and positivity. We see life through the lenses with which we choose to look at it. I choose Joy”. The more you listen to this collection of music, whatever your taste, you will start to share Jenn’s choice. She says: “when you’re chasing a dream, doubt is inevitable,but if you believe you’re chasing your purpose, then it doesn’t matter how many times you circle the mountain, you have to keep circling.” With this album, Jenn Bostic has taken a big step towards the peak of that mountain and she has taken it with a spring in her step.
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This album shares its release date with the legendary Rita Coolidge’s eighteenth studio release and both of the albums have been recorded in a more organic one room style which has led to them sharing an honesty and integrity that sets them apart. My advice would be to go buy both albums and let them seep into your musical veins and infuse you with the power of positive thinking.
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Jenn will be bringing her album to Bush Hall in London on Tuesday 1st May and it will provide an early chance to see these tracks performed live before the release on Friday. See you there!
