Brooklyn singer-songwriter Jackie West’s songs follow her protagonists across city blocks, into and out of different rented rooms, and down farflung highways that form backdrops for liminal moments in her life. But even when she describes feeling lost -whether in someone else or in the world- West never sounds less than certain of her capacity to navigate the situation, singing in a voice that seems to be able to phrase any thought indelibly. More than two years after her first EP (Find Indigo), out in 2022, her debut album, Close to the Mystery (out May 10th via Ruination Records Co.), threads together moments of searching and reaching out from a variety of relationships and settings. Its masterful baroque-pop songs form abstract scenes in a larger story about a self and worldview taking shape. The varied musical treatments mimic her changes in setting and vantage. She breaks up sophisticated harmonies recalling bossa nova and classic R&B with cycling chord progressions influenced by folk (Tiny Flowers ii), progressive pop, and shoegaze (Snow Amplified). Led by producer/mixer/multi-instrumentalist Sarah Pedinotti (Lip Talk, Kalbells), West’s team of crack musicians accommodate these intrepid shifts, including Shahzad Ismaily, guitarist Adam Brisbin, Nico Osborne (Nicomo), singer-songwriter Katy Pinke, and more. Recorded live with the band, West’s alluring, jazz-inflected vocals sit commandingly at the center of the mix, bringing a diverse collection of classic singers—Sibylle Baier, Vashti Bunyan, Hope Sandoval, Peggy Lee.

“Produced by Lip Talk’s Sarah Pedinotti, the darkly funny, Velvet Underground-like rocker explores the sensation of being unable to look into the eyes of a lover, after sensing her inability to fully connect with them. The song’s circular form feels like -as West puts it- “a never-ending spiral,” evoking the futile feeling of trying to find common ground with a self-interested and manipulative person.“

“Evoking the disorienting long-term fallout of a difficult breakup, Snow Amplified was conceived of in two parts, each of which showcases a very different side of West’s musical personality. It opens with a winter scene, sketched out by West’s plaintive vocal and atmospheric fingerpicking. Eventually, though, the song erupts into a maelstrom of simmering, shoegaze guitars and pulsating drums, making for Close to the Mystery’s heaviest sonic moment. The centric lyric characterizes both the vertiginous power of a deep bond with another person and the song’s visceral effect: “Warm to the touch, you’re a blood rush.”  In Snow Amplified -like all of West’s enigmatic compositions- we leave feeling one step closer to understanding the mysteries at the root of human connection, yet still so far away.

Her Mixtape:

Kalbells – Red Marker

Wild melodies that hit. Wacky lyrics that sit just right. Heard this when they put it out early 2021 while writing the record.

Sam Evian – Where Did You Go?

Emotionally evocative lyrics, music and guitar tones that speak directly to my heart waves. Somehow, by musical community magic, I managed to record my record with the very same oceanic guitarist you hear on this track, Adam Brisbin.

Jessica Pratt – Jacquelyn in the Background

First of all, ALL JP songs are my favorite (I don’t even know how to get into it), but I had to list this one song because there’s a moment where the tape slows down and her voice gets satisfyingly low and that makes it everything for me. Plus she spells my name correctly!

Velvet Underground – What Goes On

Got down with this VU after touring Europe in 22 right before going into the studio to record. They inspired my play-and-sing at the same time, live style. I became obsessed with learning Sterling Morrison’s strumming.

Tōth – Picture of You

Heard Alex’s music in 2019 and I was just starting to finish my EP at the time, still singing a lot of jazz so listening mostly to music from the 40s. I remember hearing this and being so hopeful about, and reinvigorated to write, contemporary music.

Jack Name – A Moving On Blues

I’ve been low key following this artist for a while and the hushed nature of his lushness influenced my vocal style.

Sonic Youth – Bull in the Heather

This song stripped me of any insecurities regarding my artistic impulses towards songwriting, because I hear their expression clearly and it reaches me. This is my confidence song.

Ringo Deathstarr – Stare at the Sun

I wanted to write a song just like this and I didn’t quite get it, but “Snow Amplified” was directly inspired by this two part oscillating banger.

Close to the Mystery will be out May 10th via Ruination Records Co. Look HERE for more information on Jackie West.