Maddie Jones’ ‘Vita Brevis’ may have slipped under your radar at the end of last year, but this is a debut worth rewinding the clock for. In the 12 months ahead, Jones is primed to make her mark.
‘Vita Brevis’ follows up two well-received EPs, along with appearances at Glastonbury and Sŵn, and that experience and maturity shines through on the Cardiff artist’s full length bow.
The greatest strength of ‘Vita Brevis’ is its diversity, something Jones seems aware of from the outset. The first line of the album’s opener, Not Made For This, makes sure of that: “Hello, you may find me a bit unusual.” The track then moves into a breeze of lush melodies and a simple, but effective, guitar part.
Live, Jones is a bundle of energy and personality, but there is a surprising amount of subtlety at play here. That should be attributed, in part, to co-producer Charlie Francis - who has worked with REM, Future Of The Left and the Graveltones in the past - who provides a glossy sheen and ties the record into a coherent whole without ever losing the character that has made Jones’ live shows so enjoyable.
Amy Wadge, a collaborator of Ed Sheeran’s, has also helped to sculpt the record - More Fool You is a particularly strong example of Jones’ songwriting growth - but the fact that such names are attached doesn’t take anything away from her own input.
The bouncy jazz influences remain on What The Hell (I’m Game) and More Fool You, sitting comfortably alongside the delicate For I Have Sinned and Know It All. Jones' vocal range and variety is the glue that holds the entire thing together.
She Was Young, the lead single, skips playfully and, particularly when accompanied by its fun video, provides a very radio friendly shift, although the sultry soul of Dirty Little Secrets and album closer Soon are the standouts. Both highlight Jones' lyricism and vocal talents, particularly when her voice is entwined in some lush harmonies.
As debut albums go this is just about as impressive as they come. Packed with quality and variety, and armed with an irrepressible enthusiasm, 2015 could be a very good year for Maddie Jones.
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