New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The Canadian pop-folk chanteuse known as
Jessica Blake has released her anticipated full-length album, "So Close." The record is comprised of 11 original tracks for an approximate total of 40 minutes' playing time. In addition to seven songs never before published, "
So Close" includes all four singles from her popular, self-titled 2012 EP, namely: "Breathe In Breathe Out," "Real Deal," "
Believe" and the LP's title track, "So Close." As a stunning collection of choice songs from
Jessica Blake, "
So Close" represents a fine introduction to this exciting new songwriter from Toronto and stands as one of the decade's best folk records so far.
"
So Close" is rooted deeply in Blake's acoustic guitar work. Her familiarity with her instrument is uncanny, reminiscent of the natural ease exhibited by
Dusty Springfield in the '60s and '70s ("Son of a Preacher Man," "Ode to Billy Joe"). Her singing is crystalline and delicate, feminine and soulful, delivered with passion that never lapses into melodrama. Her songwriting - perhaps her most remarkable skill - bares a modern folk sound with undertones of jazz, gilt with clever nuances of pop music in several classic styles. Her songs are earnest, intimate, touching, and unabashed.
Jessica Blake has been composing original music since the age of eight. She began with rudimentary innovations on the piano and progressed to full-blown expressions on the guitar. Today, her lyrical themes are socially conscious, intelligent, and spiritually profound.
"I write about the joys and hardships that humans have to go through," she explains. "I write a lot about my own spiritual struggles and journey to get closer to God."
"
So Close" is far from being worship music, though.
Jessica Blake cannot be confused with Amy Grant. In fact, part of Blake's aim is to create a new musical subgenre, one in which matters of the soul can be explored without the constructs of existing religious categories.
"I'm not a fan of traditional Christian pop music as a rule," she writes. "My goal is to bridge the gap between Christian pop-folk and mainstream pop-folk music."
Blake names as main artistic influences
Sarah McLachlan,
Sarah Harmer, and Anna Nalick, as well as
Jann Arden whose rhythm section is featured on both her EP and LP records.
Blake is the winner of both the 2006 and 2012 Professional Demo Factor Grant Awards. Her song "Something to Live For," co-written with Julian Taylor, appeared on the popular television program "Degrassi: The Next Generation." Her single, "Real Deal," has enjoyed public radio airtime in Switzerland, Jamaica, Canada, and the United States.
"
So Close" by
Jessica Blake is available online everywhere.
The LP "
So Close" is distributed globally by MondoTunes (www.MondoTunes.com) and is available at iTunes or www.top40-charts.com for convenient purchase and download.
