Flo Estes - Jukebox
Folk, Singer-songwriter, Country
Illinois, United States
Overall Impression: It's a known fact that Folk and Country have always been two genres that naturally compliment one another, the deep-rooted connection between the two simply can't be denied, and "Jukebox" serves as a wonderful example of what beauty both these genres can bring to the table when effectively combined. Flo Estes gives a wonderfully amiable vocal performance that is backed by an equally welcoming and cleverly understated musical backing that makes excellent use of its soothing vocal harmonies, gentle acoustic guitar progressions, and delicate lap steel melodies, providing listeners with both a deeply meaningful listening experience that is sure to appeal to many a folk and country lover alike.
Strongest Point(s): There's something unequivocally endearing about Flo's calm-inducing vocal performance, she brings a level of both placidity and tranquility to the track that makes for one particularly soothing listening experience and whether it'd be the subtle way in which vocal harmonies are used to highlight key lines in the lyrics or the way her vocals perfectly match the dynamic and tonal expressiveness of the lap steel, it's a performance that manages to really bring out the emotional detail in the lyrics profoundly well. A song about loss and the terrible sense of heartbreak it brings, "Jukebox" feels deeply personal and serves as a truly heartrending look into the sheer level of grief that the loss of a best friend can evoke, and through her deeply emotive and thematically potent lyric writing, Flo has managed to really capture that feeling with a level of such sensitivity and delicacy that you can't help but hang onto each and every word and phrase that she conveys. I also particularly appreciate the way in which the lap steel is used to mimic the ascending vocal lines from 2:15, it serves as a great way to not only strengthen the melody but showcase it in two tonally distinct ways.
Target Audience Appeal: "Jukebox" is a wonderfully written piece of folk-inspired country and I can certainly see it appealing to lovers of the folk-country genre.
Artist target suggestions: Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Nick drake, Iron & Wine, Jason Isbell, Joan Baez, Ryan Bingham, Nanci Griffith, Iris DeMent, Gillian Welch, Patty Griffin, Jackson Browne, Karen Dalton
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About the Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become more proficient in home recording.