They should rename an area of Stockholm – Queens.
Perhaps an area south of the city with cool cafes and an assortment of bars. The city has given birth to Sweden’s golden generation of female soul singers such as Seinabo Sey, Fatima, Sabina Ddumba, Cherrie, Molly Hammar, Linn, and all worthy of a permanent place of tribute. Despite coming from Uppsala, I’d move Snoh Aalegra there too!
Stockholm is also where the songstress Janice hails from, and her ‘most prominent’ release to date is, funny enough, titled – Queen. Now, the R&B/pop singer presents her new EP I Don’t Know A Thing About Love.
The E.P. follows her debut album Fallin Up with the R&B/soul production tightened and enhanced. Janice has been on an emotional journey of loss, love and empowerment and the E.P. encompasses a flower continuing to bloom.
The singer vocals scintillate and smoulder with an edgy vixen attitude.
If Janice were a cat, you’d give her a stroke but wouldn’t dare pick her up.
The E.P. balances both from the opening with the smooth – Forever followed by the floor thumping – Hearts Will Bleed. The catchy single – Hearts Will Bleed hits R&B directly in the middle with contemporary production to get radio speakers pumping.
I particularly like Janice’s style as much it is being tailored to compete with the mainstream pop idols (see Mabel). Her individualism can feel somewhat restricted, so I much admire her track – Doing Wrong, which feels the most personalised. Joined by Molly Hammar, this duet of the music industries dispensable attitude towards female singers opens ears and minds.
Kisses at Night Time – impresses soaring toward the end with truly majestic strings.
The EP is a confident presentation, and as long as Janice keep telling her story in her way, she’ll keep hitting with her emotional punches.
Listeners notes
Janice’s vocal can sound a little muffled, especially on Forever; however, the detail in the vocal and instrumentation on Kisses at Night Time should be crystal clear. And the bass in Hearts Will Bleed – wonderfully deep and seductive.
The Review
This album took me several listens to embrace, and I don't know if that's a good thing or not.
Review Breakdown
- 3.5