In 2007, I was quite taken by fledgling singer/songwriter Jenny Owen Youngs’ song, “F*ck Was I,” off her debut album, “Batten the Hatches.” It had me wondering: is there really room for more than one honey-voiced Jenny in my life? While Jenny Lewis dominates the much of my iPod and my concert calendar, Jenny Owen Youngs has been steadily gaining my interest.
When I first heard “F*ck Was I”, I was quite tickled by its silly, yet earnest nature. It’s a cute, catchy, clever song that I could easily relate to and even picked up my guitar to learn it.
So, needless to say, I felt a tinge of excitement when I listened to her new single, hoping it was just as good. I wasn’t disappointed.
Her new song, “Led to the Sea” is a truly infectious number, crawling with cryptic metaphors. Her sweet, natural, engaging voice laments over empty promises and drowning in a relationship that she knows will never work out. As the song picks up, among the toe-tapping drum beat and rhythmic guitar, Youngs’ personality starts to really shine through. She’s spunky, quirky, unconventional, and any other synonym you wanna throw in there.
“Led to the Sea” can be found on her new album, “Transmitter Failure.” The playful, soul-filled album starts off with “First Person,” a 40-second number with just a ukulele, hand clapping, and Jenny’s voice. The endearing song was way too short and left me wanting more and when I finally got to the track “Last Person,” my wish was fulfilled. “Last Person” is a fun, instrument-filled, upbeat song that is a continuation of the brief ditty that kicks off the album. It’s a song all about taking a chance on a stranger in a bar. If it works out – great. If not, then there’s always next time.
“Here Is a Heart” is a much more somber piece that has her saccharine vocals resonating over wistful piano keys. She holds nothing back as she laments about giving someone everything she has to give, without getting anything in return.
“Secrets” is a lot of fun. Sharp guitar with even sharper vocals, she playfully teases and taunts the one she’s with by singing, “I’ve got secrets up to here, love / I’m just playing to your fears, love…”
In the album’s title track, “Transmitter Failure,” she implies that words are her best friend (as you can tell throughout the entire articulate and eloquent album) but of all the million words she knows, she struggles to find the right ones to say when she’s told “I don’t wanna know how you work/I don’t want the pieces/I just want the break.” I mean, how DOES one react to that? Her speechlessness says it all.
The album comes full circle with the final track, “Start and Stop,” as she incorporates her impressive ukulele skills once more.
So I guess the answer is yes. If your name is Jenny and you’re a witty and talented singer/songwriter that inspires me enough to pick up my guitar and learn your songs, then I guess there really is room for more than one Jenny monopolizing my playlists. Who knew?
Besides, anyone who can pull of an acoustic cover of Nelly’s “Hot In Herre” has got some serious musical prowess.
Jenny Owen Youngs’ sophomore album, “Transmitter Failure,” is due out May 26th.
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