Jasmine Rae has accomplished a lot in her career since taking out the top prize at Telstra Road to Tamworth in 2008. As a fan of the three-time ARIA-nominated and two-time CMC Music Award winner’s previous albums; Look It Up, Listen Here and If I Want To respectfully, I was excited to hear the new album Heartbeat.
The album opens with the rock-heavy (and my personal favourite off the album) “Everybody Wants to Take My Money;” followed by the already #1 first single off the new album, “Heartbeat”. If Jasmine were a song, she would be “Heartbeat” – it’s positive and upbeat; it’s Jasmine in a song. Not only is it catchy with a great music video to match, it’s about believing in yourself and doing whatever it is that makes you happy. It’s an celebration of life and love with an important and inspirational message of listening to your heart and dancing to the rhythm of your own heartbeat.
“When I Found You” is sweet and soulful, admit, a little teary ballad written for her best friend for her wedding day. “Don’t I Wish It Was Over” displays a different sound for Jasmine and shows her versatility as an artist. “This Is Who I Am In Love” is reminiscent of a Taylor Swift-esque ‘s screw you revenge song! It’s a good hard rock song with bitchy-undertones that makes you want to punch the air when you sing along. It also reminds me also of American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood‘s “Before He Cheats” from her debut album Some Hearts.
Next is a stunningly soulful version of “Hold My Hand,” which was recently performed by Brandy Clark and Dwight Yoakam at the Grammy Awards. Followed by the sexy “Zombie Love” and fast-paced “Eggs in a Basket.”
Perhaps the stand out is “Lose You All Over Again” – an odd to Jasmine’s late-father, and follow-up to “First Song” on Jasmine’s third album If I Want To. Both songs have managed to capture the heartbreak and sorrow that comes with losing a parent. It’s open and honest and never fails to leave me teary-eyed when I sing along in the mirror with my hairbrush.
“Quit This Time” is a beautiful duet with Adam Brand, which also features on his latest album My Side Of The Street. “We Don’t Know Any Other Way” is a laid-back acoustic-driven anthem of daily life. The album closes with the haunting (and my runner-up for favourite) “Fly Away.” It’s soulful, beautiful and leaves you wishing the album went on for just that bit longer. But alas, all good things must come to an end, sadly.
Heartbeat showcases Jasmine’s stunning vocals and versatility as a artist, which makes her a force to be reckoned with in the industry and one to watch out for in the future. Having written 10 out of the 12 tracks, it’s an honest album that is guaranteed to please fans and gain her many more. I’m a big believer that there is no such thing as perfection, but it comes pretty damn close!
Album Review: 9.3 out of 10.
Heartbeat is out now.
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