“Waterfall” primes Los Angeles’ Taylor Jules to capitalize on the success she experienced with her first single from her forthcoming EP release. Two-time Grammy winner Marc Swersky produced this second single, and Seth Von Paulus oversaw the mixing chores, as before, but the three-headed creative animal scores here with different results. “Waterfall” has a lush and inviting sound without ever laboring under a burden of pretentiousness. Her singer/songwriter chops reach a new peak with this single, and you can’t help but feel deeply impressed by her willing vulnerability. She exposes her heart with sensitivity and often breathtaking artistry.
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The soulful blood and guts authenticity powering “Waterfall” may surprise some listeners. If you go into hearing this single unaware of Jules’ music expecting a finessed pop confection, she’s happy to confound those expectations. “Waterfall” achieves a near-bluesy stomp during crucial portions of the performance. It culminates in a journey that starts the song in a much different fashion. The opening minute relies much more on atmospherics than the remainder of the track. Jules applies light post-production effects onto her vocals that imbue them with a spectral character right for the lyrical/thematic content.
Jules has long since mastered the balance between poetic flash and conversational eloquence. Her talents pull off an increasingly rare juggling act – you get the sense that she’s able to write for herself, satisfying the inner need that drives her to create, while likewise connecting with her audience’s shared experiences. Well-chosen imagery is a crowning touch for her gift. It actualizes the song’s emotional terrain for listeners without risking potentially fatal pretentiousness.
Her voice is a wonderfully evocative instrument. The smoky breathlessness she’s capable of summoning has sultry appeal. However, it isn’t crass or overly obvious. Her presence carries much of “Waterfall”. The instrumental accompaniment is more than adequate to ensure the song’s success, but it’s the grain and grit of her vocals that ultimately sell this song. You either buy it, or you don’t.
It is not easy to imagine any music listener, casual or otherwise, rejecting Jules’ voice. Pairing it with first-class material willing to go to the mat with substantive topics rather than facile placeholder lyrics imbues “Waterfall” with enduring qualities. This isn’t intended to be an one-and-done single. It’s clear that Jules is writing what she hopes are lasting testimonials about her life’s trajectory. Her ability to portray that journey in a dramatic and poetic fashion is the song’s crowning touch.
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Visceral and lively production values are another strength. It frames “Waterfall” in the best possible sonic light and empowers the single. Taylor Jules has amassed the necessary ingredients for a winning release that works as both a standalone track and part of a larger work. We have some time to wait before Jules’ forthcoming EP sees the light of day, but songs such as “Waterfall” supply plentiful evidence that the release, when it hits, will rank among the year’s best from anyone. Taylor Jules is building quite a reputation, one song at a time.
Garth Thomas