Blending the honesty of iconic songwriters like Tori Amos, Iris DeMent, Lucinda Williams with the been there, done that swagger of the classic bands from the 1970s, Jade Jackson has eleven self-written tunes which are staggering in their introspective structure and storytelling based on the fact that they’re from someone so young. Inspired by Lucinda’s Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, Jade Jackson set out to make a cohesive collection of songs and that’s excatly what she has done with Gilded, her debut for Anti- Records. A mostly down-tempo affair, this record is like listening to Jade’s diary set to music, a strong cohesive affair of songs which are open and real.
“No Guarantees” finds Jade singing — over Sara Watkins’ beautiful fiddle — about the cold, hard realities of love while Finish Line — featuring Greg Leisz on steel guitar — is a spirited song about being happy about who you are and where you are, especially in the value you feel in yourself. In the hands of many young songwriters, “Aden” would’ve been a slice of Swiftian empowerment. Here, instead, we have Jade Jackson making sense of her relationship the only way she knows how, by telling him how she feels without shade. Just brutal honesty about her broken heart.
“Back When” recalls Lori McKenna with nostalgic lyrics of youth and first loves. There’s a punk-like feel to “Good Time Gone,” a swaggering song about a one night stand from a slick talking sort of fella, the kind we see in bars every night trying to “get laid” and chalking up another “conquest.” Producer/Mentor Mike Ness — of Social Distortion — provides the guitars on the tune and it certainly has melodies which accent the lyrics.There’s a melancholic grace to the songs which make up Gilded. It’s a cohesive statement and should prove to make Jade Jackson another artist making important music, the kind of music we want and should, nay, must hear over and over again.
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