SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JESSICA LEE MORGAN – YOU KNOW WHAT YOU SHOULD DO?

JESSICA LEE MORGAN
YOU KNOW WHAT YOU SHOULD DO?
SPACE RECORDS

Jessica Lee Morgan never does the expected. Over her career, which includes five studio albums and one album with her mother, Mary Hopkin, Morgan continues to explore and grow as an artist. She is now an author and a teacher (she is an instructor of the Alexander Technique). You Know What You Should Do? continues to show different sides of Morgan.  Not only is You Know What You Should Do? her new album, it is also the title of her book, which is being released simultaneously. This album is not the soundtrack to the book, but they are related. On this album Morgan delves into new territory musically and lyrically.

Morgan, along with her partner Christian Thomas, is not giving advice or telling the listener what to do, but she is clear as to the pitfalls and things one must deal with through life, particularly if you choose to be in the public eye. “Public Property” is a harder, driving song that Morgan tells the listener, “You think you know me,” she sings, “Public property, private lives”, she concludes. It is a brilliant statement and song.

Elsewhere, she slows things down, with the piano based “Out Of My Cage”, which is much sparser than other songs on the album, and is the perfect arrangement for Morgan. The song has a hint of melancholy and sequenced at song five out of the ten, it comes at the perfect moment. Later, she brings her more countryside to the forefront with the melodic “People” (no, it has nothing to do with the classic Streisand song). She brings the album to a close with the gospel flavoured “Piece Of Mind”. It really is the cornerstone of the album. Traveling with her throughout the songs, “Peace Of Mind” is the perfect ending and a stunning song.

Morgan comes from rock royalty (her dad is famed producer/musician Tony Visconti and her mother is Mary Hopkin) and she has grown up in the music world. Beyond that, over the years, since her solo debut in 2010, she has toured, written, performed, and developed into a very strong and talented artist. She has a strong voice and is an excellent musician. And she is truly unique and has her own sound.

Not only is You Know What You Should Do? is a brilliant album, full of incredible songs and emotions. The production is excellent, and the arrangements are perfect. It is an album that demands one’s attention and does not work as background music. This is a deeply moving and, I think, a very personal album. Morgan just keeps getting better, and Not only is You Know What You Should Do is her best album yet.

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