New Artist: Jess Bryant

As well you know, modern folk(y) music can be a treacherous place. A lot of it is designed for Radio 2 and leaves you thinking of Horlicks rather than something weirder, more earthy... more ethereal. Well, one of the best... and most unique voices in the World of Wool is Jess Bryant who has been knocking my socks off for the best part of 3 years.

With a voice like absolutely no-one else in gramophonic history, Bryant creates bewitching, fragile songs that conjure up images of late nights in dark wooded places, black magick, ancient folk tales and... somethin' else. Something you can't put your finger on at all.

Years ago, I hear a song called 'Swallow' of hers and I'm still reeling from it. It's staggeringly beautiful and haunted. Her voice has something of the opera about it... but instead of being overblown and pompous, it's measured, controlled and can colour a melody with aching gorgeousness. Like I said, this is a unique voice with controls set to 'Blow Mind'.

Her latest crop of songs are just as good as the ones I heard all that time ago. 'The Crossing' is the highlight and could be the soundtrack to some unsettling Finnish folk tail recreated in felt. Once again, Jess' voice is the star, swooping and soaring over harps, picked guitar... man... her music is a place you don't so much listen to, but rather, a place you can visit.

'Emerald' is another corker that leaves you wondering just where this music comes from. There really is no-one like her... if you wanna likeness, then it's easier to go to film than record. There's something of the Coen Brothers in her approach... maybe Scando Art House films that you've invented in your head because you never got 'round to going to that weird little cinema that shows all the brilliantly odd films.

Fact is, Jess Bryant is getting a record out and you're going to buy it. Why? Because it'll be beautiful, brilliant and like nothing you've ever heard in you life.

Click here to visit Jess Bryant's Myspace (you can download her songs too!)

[Mof]

(photo by Nick Fraenkel)