Artist: Beth // James
Song: “Boy Genius”
Album: Get Together (6/3/2022)
Genre: Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Americana
Married indie-Americana duo Mikaela and Jordan Burchill (known collectively as Beth // James), first met at the University of North Texas’ jazz program, cutting their teeth on jazz guitar and vocals. After graduating, the two accomplished players became enmeshed in the Austin music scene, where they continued to play and have released two EPs to date. With the release of their latest single “Boy Genius”, they also are announcing their debut album. And the single bodes very well for what’s to come.
A crisp folk-pop gem, “Boy Genius” shows off Mikaela’s honey-sweet vocals, which bring tons of emotion to the song. Jordan’s smooth guitar playing adds textures that add a weary wistfulness to the song. The piano accompaniment fleshes out the sound even further. Lyrically, the track finds Mikaela delivering sharp barbs (“With your cavalier style and pretentious tone. So clever, caricature of an intellectual”), castigating an arrogant Paramore, even while the tone in her vocals reveals the sadness and disappointment in the situation.
Check out this excellent track in our Check This 2022 Playlist on Spotify or Apple!
The Indy Review 