Release Date: August 30, 2019
Label: Third Man Records
After waiting five years for
something new, fans finally got their fix with Olivia Jean’s latest release,
"Night Owl." On her debut album, the versatile Ms. Jean plays all the
instruments. Night Owl brings reinforcements in the form
of a backing band that helps to refine her unique and enigmatic sound. Ms. Jean
blends rockabilly, surf & punk with soft and expressive vocals to produce a
sharp and infective result.
Born out of Jack White's Third Man Records incubator, Ms. Jean
broke from her first band, The Black Belles, and now stands apart from Mr.
White's shadow with her signature hook-driven sound. And they call them hooks
for a reason. They're sharp and instantly take hold of you. Her signature black
Gretsch guitar is searing, burning holes through the listener's preconceived
notions and expectations. Like a pro surfer riding a cruncher, Ms. Jean's
haunting melodies ride the shifting riffs masterfully. Occasionally veering off
for a stunt or two, she returns to ease the listener safely to shore.
"Garage Bats," "Night Owl," and
"Brushfire" are rockers while the obscure cover of the classic
Bollywood song "Jaan Pehechaan Ho" is a ride to the ocean in a
convertible with the top down. Unlike her debut album, where Ms. Jean breaks
out the acoustic guitar for the aforementioned "Haunt" me, on Night
Owl, she opts to stay plugged in. Therein lies my sole wish for this album,
that she gives us more of a taste of the stripped-down Patsy Cline inspired
sound, which exposes both her vocal range and musical vulnerability. It seems
"Can You Help Me" and "In Two" pose significant
opportunities to unplug for a bit.
All told, Night Owl crackles with an energy
that a 3-minute song structure struggles to contain. The fourteen songs packed
into this thirty-seven-minute album pull no punches whatsoever. Play it loud,
play it often, and please, Ms. Jean, don't keep us waiting another five years
for another release.
Tom Endyke - MuzikMan.net Staff
November 5, 2019
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Tracks
Tracks:
01. Garage Bat
02. Night Owl
03. Shut Your Mouth
04. Brushfire
05. In Two
06. If You Don’t Love Me by Now
07. Rhinestone
08. The Hunt
09. Jaan Pehechaan Ho
10. Can You Help Me?
11. Siren Call
12. I Used to Be Lonely
13. Perfume
14. Tsunami Sue
Tracks:
01. Garage Bat
02. Night Owl
03. Shut Your Mouth
04. Brushfire
05. In Two
06. If You Don’t Love Me by Now
07. Rhinestone
08. The Hunt
09. Jaan Pehechaan Ho
10. Can You Help Me?
11. Siren Call
12. I Used to Be Lonely
13. Perfume
14. Tsunami Sue