Alice Jemima's self-titled debut album consists of a surprising total of twelve songs that amount to only thirty six minutes. However, the album, presents us with a collection of unique and creative compositions that prove worth paying attention to. Live electric and acoustic guitar intertwined with electronic productions to form a voice that is Jemima's own. While Lorde works closely with a producer, Jemima produces herself, which creates a distinction between the two. Both are artists in their own rite, with different styles of execution and with different sounds. The prospect of having a hand in every aspect of song creation is an exciting one and bodes well for Jemima's future in the industry, but the consistency and strength of Lorde's work can be attributed, in part, to her creative freedom in having a highly skilled partner to execute her vision. The two artists have carved out two unique paths to their debut albums, and while Lorde is almost incomparable to other artists, Jemima has developed a strong personal sound and style that brings to mind the former artist.
Alice Jemima's debut album opens with Electric. It introduces the musical style and subject theme that runs through the rest of the album. The idea of the city comes up on multiple occasions throughout the album and it feels real and endearing. I believe you can tell when someone puts parts of themselves into their work, and these references feel like extractions from the artist's real life. This idea is not only present in the direct lyrical references to the city, but also in the fast paced electronic landscape that Jemima creates. The instrumentation is often tangibly computerized. It doesn't try to sound live. As a city dweller, this feels like home. Certain songs on the album come across as more seamless and synergised than others, and Electric is one of the forerunners. Dodged a Bullet presents us with creative interest and variation in the percussion department and strong, foregrounded acoustic guitar melodies. No More features a cool little crackly tuba sound and a subtle nod to 90's RnB vocals as Jemima slows the pace of her usually quick, breathy singing style. Liquorice feels like the most personal song on the album, detailing the struggle of honing a musical craft and selling that to the world. The line, "Keep failing to impress so let's try it again" communicates both the pathos and the perseverance of making it work as an artist of any kind in an over-saturated market. Liquorice also dwells on the simple, childlike pleasures that keep her going, the privilege and the joy of being able to do something that she loves. This piece also feels rooted in Jemima's everyday experience, and these happen to be the lyrics that are almost always the most interest. It also shows in the confidence of the songs execution and bouncy bassline of Liquorice, which just feels great.
Another highlight on the album for me is So, which has a lovely rhythm and a strong vocal. It seems to describe the dark and light of navigating the world as a 20-something, experiencing everyday life and searching for meaning in it. This is presented in a way that feels sincere and the track, as a result, feels self-assured and groovy to listen to. No Diggity was released as a hugely successful single quite some time before the debut release. It's a delicately explosive cover of Blackstreet's original song, characterized by a seamless synthesis of live and electronic elements, supporting Jemima's freshly distinctive vocal. Cocoa Liquor is a surprising addition to the album too. Abundant claps and clicks join a sultry vocal which takes centre stage, describing an It-Girl in a way that is both specific and relatable. This is one of my favourite moments on the album, bringing creative variation to the album and offering listeners something repeat-worthy.
The song that closes the album is a point of interest for me. It has a distinctly live feel to it, eliminating the support of an electronic landscape and introducing listeners to a greater vocal range and depth that Jemima has kept hidden throughout the album. While the breathiness of the vocal melodies is emotive and uniquely lovely, I would like to hear more of the soprano/alto range and the moments of light and dark that this song shows Jemima to be capable of. It turns Jemima's characteristic style on it's head, putting the vocal and the live-feel guitar at the forefront and including subtle electronic sounds. Perhaps this is a hint at things to come?
Alice Jemima's debut album is a commendable offering that's worth spending time on. She reveals herself to be a creative and talented musician, furthermore, she is responsible for all aspects of the creation of the album which is rare and fantastic. I look forward to future offerings from Jemima.
