Jordan Whitmore - One Breath (EP)
Self-released
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Jordan Whitmore is a captivating, multi-faceted artist. She writes moving, thoughtful lyrics and has a beautiful, distinctive, and highly expressive soulful voice. The Texas-based singer-songwriter has enjoyed a chequered career moving seamlessly from indie piano pop through full-band rock to gospel and more rootsy strains of Americana. For this highly personal 3-track EP she has reemerged with a more stripped-down approach that positions her amongst a growing constellation of young Southern balladeers, determined to open their hearts and souls to anyone who is prepared to listen. Her dark and haunting raw-boned introspective lyrics that read like journal entries, embody roots music to its fullest. Unlike her previous full-band recordings, this minimalist set features Jordan on acoustic guitar and piano with additional instrumentation provided by producer Brian Douglas Phillips, to create a captivating listening experience. It’s simple but gets me every time. Thankfully, it’s not all doom and gloom, but as Jordan largely sings about everyday life, there is a fair amount of pain. I firmly believe that life is by and large, somewhat unfortunate, and over the past few years Jordan has had several personal hardships and hurdles to overcome.
Led by her vibrantly played acoustic guitar, she adds her sweet bluesy voice to One Breath, as a softly plucked banjo wafts away in the background. She tackles head-on her own pain and despair where even breathing is tough, but by taking one breath at a time, she can make it through the night to face yet another day. Buried beneath See are sparse, melancholic keyboards as Jordan agonizes and seeks relief from life struggles. It’s a song that will tear at the heart of anyone who has dealt with utter despair and loneliness, as it offers light and escape from the debilitating darkness and pain. There’s a rallying gospel vibe to Rise Up with echoes of Trisha Yearwood in the curves of her vocals, which seem to trickle upward, like a stream flowing in reverse up a mountainside. At first only basic chords—acoustic guitar, then swirling organ—accompany her heavenly voice that finds so much beauty in the mining of these truths. Jordan Whitmore shows the listener that that 10% of the time when you can say ‘that was a good day’ needs to be embraced, because when it’s gone, there’s only emptiness and regret. Jordan’s intimate exploration of life’s many challenges blended with her heartfelt lyrics and soul-stirring vocals, prove to be compelling and strangely uplifting.
February 2024