Jess Day releases new EP 'The Lovers (Reversed)' and shares her top 5 singer-songwriters
Adelaide’s Jess Day has released her new EP The Lovers (Reversed), a collection of five tracks that has been two years in the making.
First releasing music in 2018, her sound is rooted in earthy indiepop but also covers rock, punk and ballads. An accomplished, self taught musician, Day has written and co-produced every song on the EP which features her four latest singles and one new track.
“I'm so beyond excited to get this EP out into the world. It's about 2 years’ worth of songs - that were unplanned as a collated body of work - but I feel illustrate some of the journey I've been on as a songwriter in that time….I pride myself on leaning into uncomfortable feelings with as much honesty as possible,” Day says.
The EP kicks off with latest single ‘Seven’ which has a rock guitar soundscape with a vocal delivery from Day that flirts with a punky snarl. Lyrically, it deals with the acceptance that we are all human and will commit the ‘seven sins’ throughout life and this should be embraced.
‘Gravity’ is a swinging track bubbling over with gorgeous melodies and hypnotic beats which at times introduces power pop to its indiepop core.
The first single from the EP ‘Naked’ is a moody, immersive track that explores being in a relationship where you are expecting more from the relationship than your partner: “I can't take it I've lost so much already,” Day sings. It is a superb indiepop-guitar track with a vocal line that sweeps you along and soon has you drowning in its beauty.
Brand new song ‘Allie’ is a quieter, more reflective moment on the EP. An emotional track that relays the pain of discovering your partner has left you for someone else, a piano foundation brings melancholy to the track while the drum beat, guitars and Day’s vocal, which veers from frustration and anger to dejected acceptance, mirror the angst of the situation. “Maybe I'll make you want me / Maybe I'll make you care / Maybe I'll get a better job and dye my hair / Then you won't disappear,” Day sings.
The EP ends with a bang with ‘East’, probably the rockiest and punkiest moment on the EP. A frenetic beat with a hint of synths and shouty vocals from Day as she describes the blurry, drunken moments the end of a relationship provokes. “Now I'm feeling so alone / Oh the things that I'd do for ya’.
While much of The Lovers (Reversed) is music we have lived with and loved for the past year, it is the perfect package to showcase the depth of talent and brilliance that is Day as an artist. It is music that is raw, emotional and personal but also manages to be incredibly warm and welcoming. Indiepop can be a hard genre to do well, but with The Lovers (Reversed) Day has proven she is one of Australia’s best, capable at creating songs with strong melodies and structure while maintaining the grittiness and earthiness that are the hallmarks of the genre. Jess Day is an artist who has everything it takes to become bigger and better in the years to come, dive into this EP right now.
To celebrate the release of the EP, Day shared with us a listicle of her the five female singer-songwriters that have inspired her career.
Jess Day: My five biggest singer-songwriter inspirations
Avril Lavigne
Under My Skin was an impeccable album. It was the first introduction I had into women singing over the top of heavier music. And at the time, it was “pop”. Listening back, this would never pass for pop now. It’s so gritty and emo. She was so cool. A woman in pop in the less conventional packaging, that wasn’t overtly sexual or overtly innocent. Truly game changing for me to see as a pre teen and phenomenal vocal delivery.
Taylor Swift
I loved Taylor Swift. Then I hated that I loved Taylor Swift. Then I hated that I hated Taylor Swift. Lots of internalised misogyny to unpack there but I always came back to her and in my mid-teens I settled on becoming a lifelong, diehard Swiftie. Speak Now has exceptional songwriting. So dramatic, so pungent to listen to as a teenage girl.
Banks
A later find, after I’d gotten out of my first really toxic relationship. The album Goddess felt like it was written for me. Something about her vocals sound so genuinely tormented and her melodies are so emotive. The content she sings about has the same resonant anger and spite that I find myself tapping into in my own music. She does not miss. It’s my favourite kind of dark and she bites with her words like a wounded animal.
Beyoncé
I was surrounded with Destiny’s Child and the Dangerously In Love album from about 8-10 years of age. In my teen years as I began to navigate romantic relationships - that’s when I really, truly, understood Beyoncé. To me, her and Destiny’s Child were a symbol of empowerment, sex appeal and sisterhood.
The Veronicas
Similar to Avril Lavigne, it was an early intro into women over guitar music. I thought they were the coolest. Still do.
The Lovers (Reversed) is out now via Wonderlick Recording Company/Sony Music Australia. You can buy and stream here.
To keep up with all things Jess Day you can follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
