Jess Williamson’s ‘Blood Song’ opens with sparse guitar notes that conjure a desolate image of a nameless American desert, and you get the impression the track might well be instrumental. Her vocals kicking in around the 30 second mark are a welcome surprise, and lift the song from an atmospheric backdrop to an intimate telling. The misleadingly gentle delivery hides a mixture of emotions, giving the song a believable voice as she demands and hesitates and pleads across five lovely minutes. Imagine Angel Olsen singing to Ry Cooder’s Paris, Texas soundtrack.
The album, Native State, is due out on the 28th January on Brutal Honest. Pre-order it here.
See the rest of the calendar here.