If it is truly asked of him, Jesse Daniel Edwards describes his new sound as “piano-based alternative indie rock.” I think this is objectively true, although I do see how even he struggles to define it. I’d argue that this definition does not give it proper justice.
The new sound in question is heard on his latest album, Violensia. Available to stream this Friday, June 23rd, Violensia details all-to-familiar struggles of the modern age. Though not autobiographical, Edwards writes very personal stories surrounding drug misadventures, unplanned pregnancies, murder, and the like. To put it simply, these songs are delicately layered (both musically and lyrically) in an attempt to grapple with heavy issues facing far too many people these days.
During my first listen of Violensia, I found myself continually impressed at how interlocked the sound of these songs are with the poetic lyrics. I know on the surface that seems like a basic foundation of any good songwriter. But Edwards sound is so unique that I can’t imagine his lyrics be anything else. Sonically, these songs are in the style of a black and white noir film. They are the underbelly, untold stories of a city. Each song is dark and unfiltered.
This album echos 70s piano rock consistently throughout. I hear Queen and Bowie in all of these songs. To bring it to a more modern era, however, I hear a lot of Rufus Wainright and Jukebox the Ghost. Specific to the lyrics, a lot of these songs remind me of Tom Waits and Warren Zevon. Each song is a tale, from the drunken regret in “Backyard Party MDA” to the murderous post-punk banger “Drop Dead and Die.”
The album closer, and what I believe to be the saddest (and best) song in the bunch, is a beautifully tragic question to the world. “What Ever Happened To” details a list of lost souls and ponders the thought of who actually cares – “What I want to know is who wants to know? And does anybody care? Not that I really care…” It’s enough to leave you in tears – just in time to restart and listen to it all over again.
Violensia is out on June 23rd. Listen to the latest single below:
The Indy Review 
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