Delving into the Heart of Jennifer Walton’s Inaugural album
Miss the United States, a deeply moving and refined debut from Jennifer Walton, transports listeners to a hotel room close to JFK airport as she confronts the heart-wrenching news of her father’s cancer diagnosis. Hailing from Sunderland, this gifted artist was embarking on her first U.S. tour with indie band Kero Kero Bonito when tragedy struck, casting a pall over her journey. The haunting harmonies of delicate piano and gentle strings accompany somber reflections on life while touring: “Farmsteads and crumbling buildings / Strip malls, drug deals, anxiety attacks.”
The Distinctive Sound World of “Daughters”
Walton’s subtle yet powerful vocals create an atmosphere brimming with tension that is heightened by her unique writng style—an intriguing mix of narrative storytelling akin to fiction, folk wisdom, and raw diary entries infused with surprising maximalism. A highlight from this year is “Shelly,” which recounts the death of a deer while spiraling into an environmental awakening reminiscent of Olga Tokarczuk’s *Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead*, brought to life by distorted cello sounds. The track shifts from tense verses featuring echoing guitar plucks to expansive choruses where Walton’s voice is digitally altered into something both all-knowing and disquieting.
A Versatile Artist Emerges in Full Bloom
Listeners may recognize Walton as an electronic music producer or DJ who has worked alongside bands like Caroline; however, *Daughters* reveals another dimension of her artistry. The opening track “sometimes” bursts forth unexpectedly like a surprise festivity from an unanticipated string ensemble caught off guard while “Born All Again backwards” dramatically alters its tempo with relentless looping drum patterns that are both punishing yet mesmerizing. Rich layers crafted by longtime collaborator Aya evoke emotions that are concurrently gritty yet ethereal.
The album culminates in “Lambs,” where Walton’s darkly whimsical musings take center stage amidst swirling rhythms that invite movement—a stark contrast to its lyrical content which poignantly states “May your life never lead to death,” delivered with heart-wrenching gallows humor.