by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Jayda G’s new opus is an intensely personal tale. Since her last album was released, the Canadian singer-songwriter has seen a surge in popularity bringing her high profile remixes and DJ sets, not to mention gigs. It has also seen her marry her childhood sweetheart in the same house where her parents were married.

The story here is much more about them than her – and specifically her father, William Richard Guy, whose voice can be heard in the spoken word interludes surrounding the music. The music itself is all about him, too, tracking his upbringing in Kansas, brushes with local gangs and the authority, splitting with his wife on return from a stint in Vietnam and moving to Washington. From there he moved to Canada, where he remarried and Jayda was born.

Jayda tells the story through pop music, though is more than happy to bring in house, funk and soul to enrich the musical flavour.

What’s the music like?

As above – pop music with extra colour and spice. Jayda writes with clean lines and has a cool vocal delivery, but these are beautifully worked nuggets that work in several contexts. House music fans will love the tempo and energy, lovers of soul will appreciate the deeper moments and the connection to the heart that she finds with her lyrics and vocals.

Pure pop music fans, meanwhile, will delight in the sharply observed lyrics, the hooks on which the music comfortably hangs, the sleek production and the riffs aplenty. What also helps a load here is the way Jayda clearly enjoys her role, and the personal input she gives to tell her story as vividly as possible.

There are many highlights, but a special mention should be made for Heads Or Tails, with its sharply observed pop and house music edge, Jayda G delivering typically cool vocals. Meanwhile Your Thoughts is an excellent power pop song, faultlessly delivered.

Does it all work?

It does. The ebb and flow here is spot on, the movement towards house music only heightens the pop sensibility, and there is a good groove at every turn.

Is it recommended?

It certainly is. This is music that is personal to Jayda G, but it will resonate deeply with any listener making the effort to get involved.

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