Sounding as if she has been doing this much longer than her 23 years on this planet would suggest Thoughts That Keep Me Up at Midnight is the sound of an artist wise, sonically, artistically, and creatively, beyond her years. Well, beyond.
New York’s Jess Yaffa has delivered a near-perfect debut album that blends infectious pop hooks with astute, singer-songwriter vibes and indie authenticity with just enough rock and roll weight to power things along. The result is an album that covers all bases and wanders the musical landscape at will. But if that sounds like it might be too much of a mixed musical bag, it is not, because the one thing that beats at the heart of the album is Yaffa’s personality, which comes from her hands-on approach regarding every aspect of what she does. This is the sound of an artist steering a safe and steady course through the music waters of the music industry.
The sonic scope of the album is highlighted perfectly by the two singles that have paved the way to this point. “Just For One Night” runs on a chugging, charging, gnarly rock guitar groove, a brilliant contrast to her sweet and accessible vocals that run across the top, whereas “In The Key of Chaos” is a breathy, effortlessly light and poised pop song. Between these two points, she delivers an array of great songs that mix and match and merge and meld all manner of genres, sounds, and styles and do so brilliantly.
Come for those two brilliant singles, and stay for eight equally great songs.
