Album Review By FROM THE STRAIT
Canada showing the love! Thanks From The Strait for the kind words on the new album “Glow.” Click HERE to read in full.
Austin-based singer-songwriter Jelly Ellington is known for his Americana style and Texas-blues grit. He’s just released his latest album, entitled Glow; nine songs that boast soaring riffs and introspective lyrics, drawing on the artist’s personal experiences and his family’s artistic legacy.
“One of the main goals with this record was to produce one that was sonically sound, and I think we did a great job achieving that thanks to the help of everyone involved,” Jelly Ellngton says, noting the collaborative effort of the album.
Glow starts off on a moody note with the title track, but then the beat kicks in and we’re met with killer guitar riffs. A song about saying goodbye to the bad times, “Glow” is a catchy rock track full of attitude and swagger. “Sail On” has a bluesy rock sound, with a slower style but packed with groove. From there the album switches to a poppier offering with “Somebody to Love,” a song reminiscent of hits of the late 80s early 90s. “I enjoyed every step of the process putting together the tune, especially having one of my best friends Deshawn D’ Vibes Alexander, playing the lead synth on the tune,” Jelly says about the track.
Gritty guitar and sultry vocals are the spotlight of “The Night,” with a blues-pop style and a compelling breakdown. The album has its emotional side as well, such as songs like “Goodbye Rain,” with its mellow feel, and bright, hopeful chorus. It’s a song about saying farewell to grief after losing a family home to a fire. “Thick and Thin” has a huge chorus and dynamic back-up vocals, while “Coyote” offers incredibly catchy guitar riffs and a gritty overall feel.
Recorded in a church chapel with just a laptop and a mic, “Copperhead Blues” is a stirring song in its beautiful simplicity and bluesy, alt-country feel. The album ends with “Irons in the Fire,” an atmospheric and emotional song about how love is most important, and not material things. The pared-down instrumentation and subdued vocals effectively bring home the message: “now I’ve come to find, all I need is you”.
As a whole, Glow features a spectrum of sounds, from pop, to blues, to straight ahead rock ‘n roll and everything in between. Each track has a standalone style, often incredibly groovy and infectious with impeccable vocals throughout. The guitar work on the entire collection is a true masterclass, with riffs that shine and shred, all in an accessible package. If Jelly Ellington isn’t already on your radar, let this be a not-so-subtle nudge to dive into his discography.
Stream the Glow album by Jelly Ellington on your preferred platform:
Spotify / Bandcamp / Apple Music
- Kristen Goetz // From The Strait