Jillette Johnson – Water In A Whale Album Review

Jillette Johnson – Water In A Whale (Wind Up Records)

When I first heard the song Cameron the second song on this album, I knew this was an artist who was something special and this album is nothing short of amazing. Here is a singer songwriter who can sing and actually write her own tunes and all of them on this album. Her music leans around the piano but she manages to mix it up doing big bold tunes as well as the softer tunes. Her music is haunting as it is beautiful. Its pop music but mixes alternative and a dash of indie rock into the mix. It opens with the big catchy tune torpedo which shows off her vocals and as well as her songwriting, the use of strings is a nice touch. The use of drums are on the first two tracks only add to the energy tracks Cameron which won me over in the first place is a beautiful tune about her trans gender friend and it’s a big beautiful tune, the use of strings only adds to the tune. Flood The Ocean is another song that is around the piano, it’s a little slower but still goes a good pace. The vocals and lyrics are solid. When The Ship Goes Down is another amazing ballad, the use of the strings alongside the piano just work together, the vocals and lyrics are first rate. It’s a short song only going for 2.50 minutes but still an amazing track. Last Bus Out has use of a drum beat and is going for something different here. The vocals are good and it’s an interesting use of autotune but it is used well here. . The chorus turns into a big catchy chorus. Pauvre Coeur is tune is darker and haunting the piano just works here as does Jillette solid voice. The song shines and shows off her songwriting. Peter Pan is another big tune that revolves around the piano, good use of a drum beat, the use of synth at the at start of the tune works. Vocals shines here and do the lyrics. Basset Hound is another song that is dark and haunting, the use of the drums works, adds to the tune, vocals shine as does the songwriting. Butterfly Catcher is another tune that shows off her songwriting, her musicianship and vocals. Heathen is another amazing tune, the use of the guitar at the start is a good choice, solid songwriting, vocals and musicianship, it’s a big tune. True North finishes off the album well, it’s an amazing tune, solid vocals and musicianship. Songwriting is excellent, you get a great stripped back version of Cameron and two cool b-sides which end the album. This is an incredible album, every song is amazing, Jillette is an amazing singer and songwriter. She knows how to write a song that packs so much into every second. She knows how to get you and draw you in. She is an artist to stand up and take notice about. She would be one of my favorite discovers in the last two years.