Reviewed by Ian Whitwood

Glasgow-based singer/songwriter Jennifer Hay's 19-track double album owes much to the arranging and production skills of Dave Bruce, who also worked with her on 'Secret Garden Collective' (2016). He has provided a soundtrack that enhances Jhenni's limited vocal range. Many of the tracks sound similar as her slightly nasal (almost spoken at times) singing tone (with an early naughties Ellis-Bextor feel) proceeds with unsettling predictability. Indeed, apart from "Attack", which has been released as a single, too many of these tracks float by without really connecting with the listener. Despite the album's lofty aim of promoting positivity and inner strength, the lyrics and the themes on disc one and a large part of disc two seem to centre on the singer's relationships. In "I Can't, I Won't" she cries, "I did so much for you/Never to ask nothing from you/Why do you?/Why do you take so much from me?" Like "Ceasefire", the lyrics could feasibly be a conversation between the singer and God. However, the song concludes, "I'm fading, I'm fading, I'm fading away/ Oh lord, help me, Oh lord, oh lord, help me" which is a cry for help and the deepest of her song lyrics. Jhenni emphasises self-belief on songs like "Sunshine Down On Me" but shows her vulnerability on songs like "Indecisive". By far the best tracks on this set are the two or three which have a decidedly club music groove and it may be in that area that Jhenni should be developing her talents.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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