Jude Kelly The Seven Spirits Of Her (The Orchard)
Whanganui-born, Dunedin-raised and Auckland-based Jude Kelly releases her debut E.P., seven songs that make up The Seven Spirits Of Her.
The 25-year-old singer/songwriter calls this collection “an audio biopic” while her PR says it’s a “coming of age story”.
Indeed, the opening track tells of a seven-year-old playing with her Monster Truck whose mum tells her, “now its time to be grown”.
From there, our protagonist struggles with love, loss and confidence before finally emerging, “lucky to have a dream” as they come to terms with any frailties or perceived weaknesses happy in her own skin…”if this is all there is and all I’ll ever be”.
Lyrically, there is a lot going on, musically, Jude is assisted by co-writer/producers Devin Abrams (Pacific Heights) and Josh Fountain (BENEE).
Together they manage to find a balance between mainstream pop gloss and indie cred, giving Kelly’s very admiral voice a sumptuous bed of synths, guitars and percussion over which she can shine.
Jude’s lower register is very Karen Carpenter…check out the opening stanzas to Like You… but otherwise she has her own voice.
The story, such as it is, really takes off with Bonnet Bunny. An engine revs and our hero escapes, gaining confidence along the way. “I’m an engine set free” she sings. It’s her Born To Run moment and she makes the most of it.
At just over 20 minutes long, The Seven Spirits Of Her serves as a tempting teaser for things to come as New Zealand Music Month highlights another new Kiwi artist with potential to go global.
Marty Duda
The Seven Spirits of Her EP by Jude Kelly is out now, buy/stream it here.
