Local Album Review // Jossy Peach // Liminal
3.75/5 stars
The debut EP from Erie recording artist Jossy Peach is much more than an eclectic collection of cover songs. Taken as a whole, it's a clear statement of an artist's intent, identity, and affinity for pop culture. As a matter of fact, it took this listener quite more time than they'd like to admit before they even realized that this was, in fact, an assemblage of covers. The record begins with "Jolly Sailor Bold" a minor-key sea chantey awash with the subtle lapping of waves and murmurs of seagulls. The centuries-old tale was made famous by the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean installment. Next up is the somber classic "Gloomy Sunday" from Billie Holiday. It makes you readjust your context, shifting to muted trumpets and a slowly-swinging jazz kit right out of a smoky lounge. "Edge of Night" follows; harmonically similar to the opening track, its ethereal tone and additional vocal tracks make it a loving tribute to Pippin's song from Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. Then there's the Ink Spots' "I Don't Want to Set the World On Fire" (featured in the Fallout franchise) as cooing minimalist piano ballad. Things fast-forward to the modern classic "Good Luck, Babe!" by Chappell Roan, stripped down to a sparse, impassioned plea from Peach. That same potent feeling is echoed in "I Wanna Dance With Somebody." Peach is a gifted song stylist and musical changeling, able to interpret both certified club bangers and diegetic ditties into her own art.
