Allie Jason – Recovery: Level II (2021)
Following on from Allie Jason’s previous album Recovery: Level 1 is the next step in the journey Recovery: Level II. With a simple yet complicated concept, these albums delve into the process of recovery in light of the pandemic. Drawing on her own path of recovery, she works through thoughts and emotions that being trapped inside have brought.
With raw and deeply emotional tones, she opens herself to us with honesty and unapologetic forthrightness. While fitting into the overall concept of the albums, each track is a journey on its own. Reminding all of us that recovery from anything is a marathon and not a sprint, she touches deep in your chest leaving you floating on a river of emotion.
The EP opens with ‘Ghost Town’ which draws on the start of the pandemic and the feelings we all faced when confronted with lockdowns. The uncertainty and anxiety of the time comes through in the depths of the melody. There is a heavy feeling to the music that swirls with twilight tendrils. Jason’s vocals flow creep through the soundscape to wrap around your shoulders like a shawl that could disintegrate at any moment. It is an interesting grounded yet intangible vibe that comes through her vocals.
As the title suggests, ‘Happy. Crappy. Birthday’ was created to celebrate the first pandemic birthday. The song opens with a piece of Happy Birthday before the deep beats vibrate through your brain. The lyrics are extremely relatable as we have all faced a birthday in isolation due to the pandemic. Her voice brings the sadness felt at the time and the oppression of isolation that is thrown into stark relief at a time when you would be surrounded by friends and family. Her performance weaves between the heavy beats like she is trying to be happy but is unable to find the energy.
‘F*ck Off’ brings a mindset that a lot of people have to sonic life. The electronic tones in the melody have a breathing feeling to them which is really captivating. Jason’s vocals have an almost confessional feeling to them as she lays out her thoughts and how she feels about powering through emotions. There is a torn and turbulent feeling to the emotions of this song as you get the feeling she wants to express how she feels, but a long-time mindset of hiding wins.
The short track ‘Intermission’ seems to come out of the blue while wonderfully breaking the movement of the EP. With shuffling beats and poetic vocals, the track brings a completely different energy to the EP. As you slip into the poetry of the lyrics, you are sent floating on the cerebral waves. While a rather short track, it has a serious impact and gets you really thinking about things.
‘Mary’ was inspired by a type of essential worker and brings her to life with a waltz and stomp. There is a slightly discordant feeling to the song as the melody is a waltzing two-step while the vocals have a more melodic flow. The two styles play out over each other creating a really unique feeling to the song. With ethereal vocals, she details someone that we all have seen or know. This is a very different song that showcases Jason’s musicality and ability to keep you engaged.
The deep beats of ‘AA’ shake up your insides before Jason’s vocals came through in a light rap. Her vocals performance on this song is wonderful as it moves effortlessly from the rap tones to a really smooth flow. The lyrics have a slightly celebratory feeling on the chorus while the rap verses delve into a darker past. The changes in the vocals highlight the difference between past and present.
The EP comes to a close with ‘Oh My My’ which throws you into the hot and cold emotions of a toxic connection with a person. There is a touch of the deep beats from the last track but they lose some of their intensity. The depths of the melody acts as the ties to the toxic person that hold you down and that you have trouble breaking free from. The higher tones that delicately come through the background gentle pull at you to lift your spirits and rid yourself of the negatives in life. Jason’s vocals lay out everything that toxic people promise while filling you with the tired feeling of having heard this all before.
Allie Jason draws on the emotion of lockdown while continuing down the path of recovery in the second instalment of a series Recovery: Level II. Each track touches on a different experience and brings a wash of new emotions. The different sounds also showcase the musicality she has to offer and has you excited for what she will produce in the future.
Find out more about Allie Jason on her website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
