Bianca James – Bianca James (2023)
Getting wider recognition today as a female singer-songwriter seems easier, judging by the examples of big stars like Taylor Swift, Amy Winehouse and Olivia Rodrigo, the number seems to be growing by the day. Yet, that only seems to be the case on the surface as it takes true talent, execution, perseverance, and really hard work. Is Toronto’, Canada’s newcomer Bianca Jones set to be among those female singer-songwriters that will make it big? Judging by her debut self-titled album, she just might, even though she has decided to take one of the hardest routes to do it – reviving vintage 60s soul and RnB pop vibes.
The first thing you notice listening to the eight-song album is that James has vocal qualities to carry such vibes in a way similar (but not the same) as the late great Amy Winehouse. Where the quality of Jones’ vocals really shows is on a ballad like ‘Till I Remember.’ Talking about that song, she notes, “That song came to me in a moment of aching heartbreak. It’s about the distance between your head saying, ‘this isn’t working,’ and your heart catching up and being able to let go.”
Secondly, her songwriting captures the, well, soul of the musical era she recreates here, with the production from multiple Grammy nominee Rob Kleiner (Sia, David Guetta) and Juno nominee Thomas McKay, making sure the sound is fit for the ears of modern-day listeners. Of course, the musical crew that backs Jones here are all top-flight musicians, including Michael Bublé’s former MD/Saxophonist Gene Hardy, making sure that the sound is as perfect as it could be.
Talking about the album, Jones says that for her, music has always been a means of transforming heartbreak and pain into strength and freedom. I don’t think I consciously wrote songs about empowerment, but there is a message of overcoming, of finding hope on the other side. That’s an undercurrent in all my songs…” She explains, adding that although she typically draws on personal experience in her songwriting, “My mission is to inspire others to live their life and their dreams, to the fullest.”
With her vocal and songwriting capabilities, and the quality of musicians and the production team involved, it will be no surprise if Bianca Jones makes a big splash on the current pop scene. Something that on the evidence of her debut album she definitely deserves.
For more from Bianca James, check out her Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
