Jamie Lynn Spears surprised us all at the end of last year when, devoid of record contract, she launched her debut single ‘How Could I Want More’ on iTunes with no warning whatsoever. Even more surprising, the younger sister of pop megastar Britney Spears was able to interpret country music in a way that remained current while tapping directly into traditional influences, a move that earned her much praise from critics and bloggers. Now signed and with the aforementioned song officially at radio, last week Jamie Lynn released her EP entitled ‘The Journey’, a collection of five songs designed to make her mark on the country format and gently reveal herself to be a real contender in terms of female sales.
Sure, the ex-Zoey 101 star with so many ties to throwaway pop (through her sister, mainly) might struggle to initially convince the wider public of her loyalties, and I think that’s something a lot of artists who have become famous through other means face. But actually, with enough exposure she has the scope to build a great, solid fanbase, one who is calling out for country pop that errs more on the side of country with plenty of audible twang. That’s really what’s so refreshing about Jamie Lynn; the EP launches to ‘Shotgun Wedding’ and the sound of a banjo (a real one!) with the sharp, bluesy rock of a guitar, her vocal breezing coolly across the mix, and a lyric about, well, a shotgun wedding following teen pregnancy. In her trademark husky delivery that turns as southern as they get come the chorus, Jamie Lynn shines an empathetic light on her character, removing the blame from her parents and admitting it was just two teens messing around. She can hardly pass judgement after all; she was pregnant at 16 and only married recently aged 24, but there’s something endearing about the way her character sees the positive in a typically negatively-perceived situation. She doesn’t care that her dress isn’t a proper shade of white, she’s still going to have a perfect day, and despite a musical backing that tends to narrate stories of rebels and rednecks and sin, there’s something quite sweet and charming about her performance.
This approach continues throughout the other four tracks, and although the opener is the last track where we really get a deeper story, we don’t really feel bereft of it either. Radio-friendly without being cookie-cutter, ‘Mandolin Summer Sun’ is fairly standard country pop fare but it’s well-orchestrated and catchy, and has the plus of plenty of country instrumentation present for the occasion (including a fabulous mandolin solo). ‘Run’ also opts for the fun summer song but takes a more laid-back style in its weaving of a slow small town soundscape. There’s a sexy vibe about it that glitters in her gently sensual delivery, and dips into a dobro-infused twang that sounds perfect on a front porch with a cold drink in hand.
By contrast, ‘Big Bad World’ channels the sadness of ‘How Could I Want More’, musing as an adult how the world can squash an innocent young girl’s heart with its ruthlessness. There’s a gentleness to it, but it also follows the formula of many country songs from now going back ten or fifteen years – the story of the desperate youngster getting out of the small town and then missing it when they live in the cold, dark city. As a fan of the city myself, I get a little weary of such songs and the way they pile it on thick, especially when the girl here comes across vulnerable and somewhat helpless. Having said that, as a tried-and-tested style it’s well done, the slowly building production and pop/rock arrangement making this a solid commercial ballad.
A lot of people underestimated Jamie Lynn Spears, and probably still continue to do so. It’s a difficult time for women and for new artists in general, and despite an already-existent fanbase she will no doubt struggle on radio. That’s not to say, however, that she can’t be successful, and certainly this EP is a big step in the right direction, combining her traditional influences with the more modern ones and cultivating a voice that sets her apart. Her range can seem a little limited, but that will come with time, and she already knows how to interpret the deeper songs just as she does the bright, fun ones.
Let ‘The Journey’ continue.
