My Bed
Self-Released, 2022
9/10
The singer-songwriter Jane Bruce turns in a very sincere and well thought out break up record here, where her meticulous finger picking and influences from Aimee Mann and Fiona Apple are certainly present and appreciated.
Bruce starts the listen with the warm acoustic strumming and expressive singing of “Best Of Me”, where cozy nods to the Laurel Canyon-era of folk are very charming, and “Song About You” follows with Bruce’s diverse range entering the soulful and a bit funky “Songs About You”.
Elsewhere, “The Final Word” displays intricate guitar amid moody strings as much emotion enters, while “Man Talk” lands in gritty territory, where electric guitar and more forceful singing gets quite loud in all the best ways.
Making our ways towards the end, “My Bed” pushes pulls with both intimate and fuller moments of lush, honest songwriting, and “Sweet Speculation” exits the listen with Bruce’s balance of tuneful, vulnerable rootsy rock making an indelible impression.
This is Bruce’s first LP and let’s hope there’s many more to come, cause her raw, honest and relatable song craft is an art that we will never tire of.
Travels well with: Matt North- Bullies In The Backyard; The Whitmore Sisters- Ghost Stories