Jessi Blue - “Oranje Guice”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 6

Pairs Well With…Sophie Meiers, Cuco, Billie Eilish

Indiana’s Jessi Blue reveals their tenderness and vulnerability as their debut record Lips Do What Hands Do progresses, an interesting twist to the comfortable, chillwave grooves that underline the bulk of the dreamily moving album. Opener “Star Crossed” is a woozy love song, sung by haunting angels or ghosts depending on how the jazzy mood of the track is interpreted, followed by the dreamy, new-soul vibes of “Cynthia”. Performed with a melancholic, bedroom pop tone, Blue keeps things relatively minimal on Lips Do What Hands Do, using space as much as melody to display the lonely, moving-on themes throughout the record. It’s in these quieter moments that Jessi Blue’s music lets the listener in, distilling pop music to its finest forms and personably crafting songs that are equally comforting and explorative. There are some great pop singles here too - search for breezy alt-R&B track “Frank Said” or hip-hop-infused, chill summer soundtrack “Oranje Guice” for some swaying grooves on the way to Austin this year. (Kevin McStravick)