It gives me immense pleasure to welcome back our amazing American vocalist, Lisa Jo. For those who have been following my suggestions, I am sure everyone has heard of her last album called “Hood Rats.” It is one of my personal favorites, and her powerful voice still keeps impressing me. However, today I have to announce an exciting event! Lisa Jo has come out with her new ten-track album called “Whispers”, presented on March 21st to the general public. I feel like listening to this record is akin to watching the artist grow before your eyes. Now, let us get acquainted with the sounds.

“Whisper voices of rebellion” starts the album off with the sounds of rebellious voices that, unlike what the title may imply, don’t begin with a shout, but rather with a deep and distorted bass rumble sounding almost as if it belongs in an awakening machine somewhere in a dark space.  The song features artist Stacey Swift. It is a rather grungy and industrial start to an equally industrial song that is quite rebellious. Thematically, the song speaks to the act of rising and rebelling for your soul against society and all the noise that distracts you from your true calling. We are encouraged to speak up, fight, and break the chains that are holding us back. Lisa Jo’s vocal delivery is highly rhythmic and almost sounds like a form of spoken word poetry through the verses until she launches into a gritty and rebellious chorus.

We then move to the haunting mood of “Whispers of regret”. This tune starts with an amazing electric guitar melody. This introduction sets the mood of deep introspection with its sad vibes. The subject here is the heaviness of the “what if’s, those times when we regret our decisions or wish for a redo. The character in the song talks about things that she regrets. This song also features Stacey Swift and Lisa Jo sings this piece softly, and her voice seems to be holding on to every note as if afraid that they may slip away at any moment. This is an emotionally powerful piece of music where the lyrics have taken the first place, touching listeners’ hearts with nostalgic feelings.

As the mood progresses to something more otherworldly, “Whispers of the past “is introduced. The song  features artist Ray Jam and starts with the sounds of a funky bass guitar melody. This is an ethereal opening that mirrors the fog of our memories. It touches on the idea of how our past defines us in the present and how our past “echoes” still resonate in our lives, guiding us even when we try to escape them.  It also talks about how our past can actually make us stronger. Musically, it features rich instrumentation with the use of shimmering guitars and a steady rhythm section playing at the pace of a heart. Vocals from Lisa Jo are also layered and ethereal, giving it a choir-like quality.

It changes its mood into a more melancholic tone through the song “Whisper Words of Sorrow”. It features Tori Sue and It begins with a repetitive and hypnotic minor key tune, played on a piano. There is no showy introduction, just a continuous flow of notes, reminiscent of an empty house, where time can be heard ticking. The subject of discussion is the language of sorrow and the words used to express it when life is too hard to cope with and the concept of doing everything you can to be enough to someone. The character in the song talks about the extremes that she goes to but still ends up falling short. The hopeful truth is that we are good enough and we need to cut off whoever makes us feel like we aren’t. Lisa Jo performs with a stirring presence. She sings in a lower voice range, which makes the song heavier yet cathartic.

As a striking artistic move, “Whispers of silence” begins with a few seconds of  a warm sound of an organ. This piece of work is both simple and earthy in its artistic representation and requires concentration. It reflects the theme of silence and its “voice”, a voice that comes only in silence. This song addresses the contemporary world’s problem with noise and constant busyness. The character in the song wonders if God can hear her amongst all the noise of the world. She sounds frustrated and rightfully so. The musical composition is very simple with no complicated tricks. It is just the beautiful sound of the organ and the beautiful long sounds created by Lisa Jo’s singing that do not need any acrobatic performance to create a peaceful vacuum.

Next up is the song “Fading Whispers”. The song goes right into the vocal performance and has a melodic piano in the background. The song is about character who knows someone has been through a lot and is telling us about it. Musically, the song features rousing instrumentation that make the song so much more inspiring that it is

The Energy  starts to move upwards towards the divinity through the track “Whispers from Heaven”. The song opens up with the sparkling and luminous arpeggios of the mouth percussion and accompanied by an ascending piano. This creates a heavenly atmosphere full of the presence of light as if it were the first light of the morning. The theme of the song centers around hope and spiritual assurance; the message that there is someone watching over us at all times, taking care of us. This track is full of beautiful and inspiring lyrics, including “messages in the breeze” and “light in the shadows.” Lisa Jo’s vocal performance is at its peak through this song, singing very smoothly even in higher tones.

“Whispers of love” takes us back to the humanistic level. It starts off with a finger-picked folk guitar and a low sound of a fireplace being lit somewhere. It is a tender and cozy entrance into something personal and close, like a hug. Its lyrical content concerns itself with the gentle whispers of a devoted person who makes up all the differences that make this bond last through time. That one person who loves us loyally and unconditionally. This track features the folk-like musical style, with the harmonica solo creating the atmosphere of old American music. Lisa Jo speaks gently with her soft conversational voice, and you can easily imagine yourself next to her.

However, things continue considerably with “Whispers of song” whose introduction features an upbeat piano melody. As far as introductions go, this one is definitely the most rhythmic and upbeat, giving the listeners a desire to move instantly. From a thematic perspective, this is the song that pays homage to songwriting itself, capturing the essence of inspiration that comes as a whisper in the middle of the night. This is one of the most uplifting tracks, letting us know that we are the person we have been waiting for and that we can do anything we set our minds to. The song featuring lively guitar sections along with a rhythm section that drives everything forward. Lisa Jo performs this song in a more rhythmic manner.

The climax of this album spiritually comes in the form of “Whispers of Worship (Where I began and where I always return)”. The song starts off with a deep and profound floor tom beat with a haunting humming sound that leads to a powerful sound wall. The intro is tribal and primeval as though there was an ancient ritual going on. The central idea behind this song is that of total surrender and the “whisper” of the soul before the face of God. This is the ultimate point of the journey that takes the listener through the rebellious nature of the first song to total peace at the end. Musically speaking, this song is majestic and anthemic with a full choir supporting the powerful voice of Lisa Jo.

Music has never just been about the notes; it has long been about so much more to many people, and in Lisa Jo’s case, it has been what has kept her alive. She now finds herself perched at the edge of an amazing new chapter of her life, turning heads and catching eyes among the promoters and publishers in view of the transformative sync deal that will take her voice where none had before dared to imagine it. There is something serene and disciplined about her life, rising to the sounds of her lyric sheet, allowing the melodies to take over, and letting the universe worry about the rest. In the end, music does not achieve its raison d’être unless it encounters a willing ear and a willing heart. The amount of her very soul Lisa Jo must have invested in this project is clear to us, and such vulnerability makes it possible for us to be there with her on this record. Having found my own deliverance through the miracle of song, I can empathize with her craft. I strongly advise you, my dear reader, to experience this incredible album. “Whispers”, is a superbly consistent collection that simply must be listened to, and I cannot help but anticipate with bated breath whatever Jo’s future may hold.

Stream the “Whispers” album on Spotify

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