'What If' is the latest five track E.P. from Texan singer/ songwriter Jessica Clemmons. The tracks were recorded at the Baird Studios in Nashville, and all songs on the E.P. fall well within the country rock category, but also have elements of modern pop running through them.
What stands out for me are the lyrics. Jessica is a consummate storyteller, who manages to weave complex threads aligned to easy going melodies that are really easy on the ear. The opening track is entitled 'Love Like That' and it really sets the scene for the whole E.P. with some really good chiming guitar work that interacts with Jessica's vocals perfectly. The song details the difficulties of someone who has the perfect man, yet fails to appreciate what they've really got: - “He still brings you flowers, for no reason/ Listens when you need to talk about your feelings/ You know ya can, cause he understands/ He's there for your bad days, when you're crying/ He's the one that's always, always trying.”
'She Ain't Me' continues the fine storytelling, this time from the viewpoint of a rejected lover who compares the latest flame with herself, and is determined to fight for her man: “Sure as the gravity keeps me on the ground, I won't give up long as the world's spinnin' round.”
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The tracks 'What If' and 'Drunk On Me' are again country rock power ballads, and almost as goods as the preceding tracks, although they came across as a bit samey. This brings us to the final track, 'Single Tonight': the one that was listed as the lead single. This is a lovely country rock tune, which has some remarkable imagery: - “You're a walkin' contradiction in a pinstripe suit/ Ya got a cowboy hat, and worn down boots/ I ain't never seen a guy work that look before/ Got the devil in your eyes, like original sin/ I want you to come over. I don't care where you've been.”
Certainly, the best is saved for last, and this is what really makes the E.P. Overall, I thought this would probably appeal far more to Stateside audiences than UK ones, but the calibre of the songwriting suggests that Jessica is destined for no small degree of success on a wider scale.
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