Single Review: Night Watch

Formerly performing as a solo project, this brand-new soul-groove band Auckland was put together by lead singer Jessy Wadeson in June 2018. Jessy & The Volunteers wasted no time in premiering this new tune at Karangahape Road’s Anthology Lounge last Friday night and it was embraced with high praise.

This tune opens to sharp-clapping snares, with a bassline grooved into a smooth lounge beat. Instantly one is set up for a slow soul pop number, confirmed as the vocals make their entry.

The singing grabs your attention right from the first line, dynamic in variations in tone. From low drawls to twisting lilts, this is one inspired voice that has spent time crafting its style.

Backed with long, shimmering keyboard notes, the song’s energy bumps up a notch into a lightly funked pre-chorus. At the entry of the saxophone-sounding guitar, the chorus is further amplified with added power to the song’s flow, driven by keyboards and vocals at the front of the mix.

Lyrically, social anxiety of modern life appears to be the subject matter, and when presented with hesitation and tension in the vocal delivery, a mild note of paranoia is also found.

Any bitter tastes are almost immediately dispelled with the jazzy Summer vibes, and following a quick yet tasteful keyboard solo, the song momentarily pauses to the sound of chirping crickets. As though to quickly reflect at the end of one’s day, the song presses on to one bolder chorus.

It’s hard not to bob one’s head along to the smooth grooves, and like a laid-back Sunday afternoon collaboration of Kiwi greats Sola Rosa and Ladi6, Night Watch makes for a great number to have a cheeky backyard drink to.

With cool summer evenings are on the way, this is one tune to save to your listening list for the coming months.

Check out more great tunes from Jessy & The Volunteers on Facebook, or on Spotify.

_{Review written by Paul T Gheist}