Drawing comparisons to Feist and anti-folk songstress Kimya Dawson, Jaymay (Jamie Kristine Seerman) is attempting to carve out her own place in music history. If her major label debut is any indication, she has a fighting chance.
The whimsical and endearing track "Gray or Blue" begins Autumn Fallin', setting the scene for the wordy-yet-sympathetic songs to follow. "Don't second guess your feelings you were right from the start," she sings, adding, "and I notice she's your lover, but she's nowhere near your heart."
On the surface, the arrangements of the songs appear simple and bare-bones, but that is merely an illusion. Layers of percussion, keyboards, strings, and guitars are built up, all to support her slightly delicate vocals.
Jaymay has a great deal to say in her songs, and she effectively uses the musical instrumentation and arrangements to deliver the messages. For example, lyrically "Blue Skies" wavers back and forth between disillusionment and resignation. The rhythm section provides a plodding beat underneath a layer of strings and piano, resulting in a tune that falls somewhere in the realm of innocent apathy.
It's difficult to peg this album into any particular genre. There are elements of folk, pop, and even touches of the wall-of-sound aspects of electronica, although no processors are used in the creation of the music. And, just when you think you've got a label, with gusto she throws in the ragtime-style song "Hard to Say."
Perhaps the best advice I can give is to forget the whole business of labeling and pigeon-holing music into this-not-that categories. Just listen and make your own mind up as to whether or not you enjoy the music.
As for Autumn Fallin', I'm pretty sure that several of the tracks will find their fans. For me, it was hit or miss, which is to be expected. When Jaymay is able to untangle herself from the tired tropes of slightly obscure songs about romantic relationships, I suspect that she will begin writing songs with more staying power.
Article comments
1 - musiklvr
I really dig Jaymays sound, it reminds me a lot of cat power. Speaking of Cat Power anyone else going to go see them at All Points West?
2 - shaun
For a debut album, I was impressed. I am not a musician and always wondered what someone meant when talking a particular singer's "phrasing". However, after listening to Jaymay, I think I get it now. Speaking as a non-musician and perhaps I am using the terms incorrectly, her lyrical and melodic phrasing is exceptional and intuitive. This quality is what caught me short when trolling through Rhapsody looking for something new...
I disagree with the reviewer regarding the "tired tropes" comment. She's writing from her own experience and very well I think. Some of the most affecting music is about relationships, romantic in particular; it was intuitive and smart to create from her own organic experience.
"Slightly obscure" is how some might describe poetry. Lyrics (poetry) matched with melody begets a song. Lyrical turns in music are pleasing to the listener and should not be literal or it wouldn't be art, would it?