ALBUM REVIEW: Forever, I’ve Been Being Born – Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter
For the first time since 2011, folk sensation JESSE SYKES & THE SWEET HEREAFTER are back with their brand new album Forever, I’ve Been Being Born, which proves to be a wonderful and welcome return to the band. A treat of an album with ten songs that are emotive and steeped in emotion, melancholy and hauntingly intimate. For fans of folk music and are looking to scratch that particular itch, Forever, I’ve Been Being Born is the album for you.
Album opener Feather Treasure gently begins the story of Forever, I’ve Been Being Born. The soft vocals of Jesse Sykes are beautiful and compliment the musical elements of the song perfectly. The soft acoustic guitar and the country-esque sounding electric guitar create a beautiful concoction of calmness and serenity. It’s a track that is relaxing, you begin to feel comfortable if you’re sat down listening but if you have it on when on a walk, it feels like the beginning of a great journey and wouldn’t feel out of place on a soundtrack like Red Dead Redemption 2. Gentle Chaperone follows and has a bit more to offer as it is more ethereal than its predecessor bringing in a beautiful string section to counter the guitar, all mixed together in a stunning way to create some beautiful sounds that you can bask in as it all washes over you. Dewayne is a track that so far in the album has that classic folksy feel to it, detailing an old relationship, it regale the happy moments that were had in this time. As the song continues, it’s almost impossible to imagine this song being played in a lowly lit barn as everyone around you dances slowly as you bask in the wonderful guitar sounds.
Another softly sung track comes along in the guise of I Still Hear Lorelai. One of the album’s highlights, it feels more stripped back the albums previous songs but still packs the same quality as them. Sykes’ ever beautiful voice continues to impress as it hauntingly takes us by the hand to the song’s end. Winter’s Empty Pages goes hand in hand with I Still Hear Lorelai perfectly as the slow nature from the previous track bleeds into this one. The slow soft singing has a wonderful calming effect before building up into a fun guitar solo before slowly dying down. Dead End Pools follows on and almost feels like an old western honky tonk song with its infectious beat and gives a little bit more to the album as you begin to look at cowboy hats online due to this album making you feel like one wanting to roam the great plains of America. Oh My Sitter continues the wonderful folksy element of the album with a simple sounding track that is just as effective as any before it, it’s nice to lay back and close your eyes with this one as you let it wash over you.
As we approach the back end of the album, we reach the album’s namesake; Forever, I’ve Been Being Born. Clocking in at nearly seven minutes, this track in particular retains the same elements as those prior, yet does feel a little more darker in its sound. It’s brooding nature almost makes you feel the hot air brushing against your face as you once again conjure up vivid imagery of the old west of America as it plays more the part of a soundtrack due to little singing throughout. Penultimate track, My Sweet Hereafter returns to a more lighter tone that has been prevalent throughout the album as the vocals take a back seat once more as the lovely guitar tunes dance around you as it definitely makes a claim for it to be a song plate around a campfire.
A New Medium brings back the darker tone to the album’s finale and captures a slightly sinister tone as it plays us out and almost has a murder ballad feel to it. It brings the entire album to a wonderful and satisfying conclusion as it feels like the end of a great tale that makes you eager to hear it again, or even better, wait for what is to come, if it ever does come round again. The final couple of minutes of the song go from folk to soaring rock as the wailing guitars take centre stage and guide us to the end of the album in magnificent fashion.
Forever, I’ve Been Being Born is an incredibly dense album that will reveal more on multiple listens. It has a rich tapestry of story telling to it that brings out a whole river of emotions from Sykes herself as it allows her to embrace her vulnerable side and bear all for the listeners. It truly feels like the soundtrack to an epic western as it gives you a yearning to take that step and go on that journey you’ve been wanting to for years but been too scared to do so. Maybe this could be the soundtrack for you to do just that.
Rating: 9/10
Forever, I’ve Been Being Born is out now via Ideologic Organ.
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