Formerly performing as a solo project, this brand-new soul-groove
band Auckland was put together by lead singer Jessy Wadeson in June 2018. Jessy
& The Volunteers wasted no time in premiering this new tune at Karangahape
Road’s Anthology Lounge last Friday night and it was embraced with high praise.
This tune opens to sharp-clapping snares, with a bassline grooved
into a smooth lounge beat. Instantly one is set up for a slow soul pop number,
confirmed as the vocals make their entry.
The singing grabs your attention right from the first line,
dynamic in variations in tone. From low drawls to twisting lilts, this is one inspired
voice that has spent time crafting its style.
Backed with long, shimmering keyboard notes, the song’s energy
bumps up a notch into a lightly funked pre-chorus. At the entry of the
saxophone-sounding guitar, the chorus is further amplified with added power to
the song’s flow, driven by keyboards and vocals at the front of the mix.
Lyrically, social anxiety of modern life appears to be the
subject matter, and when presented with hesitation and tension in the vocal
delivery, a mild note of paranoia is also found.
Any bitter tastes are almost immediately dispelled with the
jazzy Summer vibes, and following a quick yet tasteful keyboard solo, the song
momentarily pauses to the sound of chirping crickets. As though to quickly
reflect at the end of one’s day, the song presses on to one bolder chorus.
It's hard not to bob one’s head along to the smooth grooves, and like
a laid-back Sunday afternoon collaboration of Kiwi greats Sola Rosa and Ladi6, Night Watch makes for a great number to have a cheeky backyard drink to.
With cool summer evenings are on the way, this is one tune
to save to your listening list for the coming months.
Check out more great tunes from Jessy & The Volunteers on Facebook, or on Spotify.
Review written by Paul T Gheist
Jessy & the lads are creating the future of NZ soul/rnb music. 100% original tight tunes grown organically in their Grey Lynn basement ... This sexy, bluesy meld of funk, rock, rnb and soul will have you screwing your nose up with pleasure & sinking your hips so far into the ground, you might break your knees.