Jacob Whitesides should have come into my music space view... why he hasn't been able to startle me before is beyond any "new artist" memo I've received. Obviously, I was not paying enough attention.
This week Whitesides released the video for The Letter where the camera focus' only on Whitesides. Added with a slight blue contrast filter or maybe they just so happened to film on a cloudy day. Whichever may be the idea in directorial direction, it was the right one. Because of the tone, lighting, and atmosphere addressed in the song. Whitesides gives a highly compelling account of losing the girl.
The Letter provides a confessional from Whitesides, in a slight Ed Sheeran and John Mayer way without any overlays or electronic synths. I don't want to use the word pure but nothing else is coming to mind to describe how effortless Whitesides plays along.
Vocally, Whitesides graces a slight quiver over certain words. Giving the hint of a remembering moments with this woman who has left for whatever the reason is may be. However, it does sound as if Whitesides is the one who let her go or did something to advance to the break-up stage.
Now for the guitar adding the only instrumental backing for Whitesides vocals, the electric guitar is the only thing needed for The Letter. Do not add or take away from this track. First off The Letter attracts an air of a Motown love ballad. Without a heavy-handed overlay, The Letter was constructed based on vocal timing.
Jacob Whitesides is barely a twentysomething songwriter out of Knoxville, Tennessee. He is dubbed within the genre of Pop or Pop Rock. However, with The Letter being any indication as to where this young musician is headed. Whitesides has found another avenue, musically to express through.
