Lovesick anthems and individual empowerment ballads may sound like the soundtrack to an episode of “The Hills,” but San Diego native Molly Jenson’s acoustic album Maybe Tomorrow may strike the right chords with fans of artists like Ingrid Michaelson, Colbie Caillat and Sheryl Crow. Audiences may have heard a few of her pieces such as “Wait For You Here” on the show “Knight Rider” or “Give it Time” on CW’s “Privileged.” Jenson gives a down-to-earth vibe with her music, and her lyrics could easily be the soundtrack to the life of a typical college student.
Jenson is one of those lyricists that will get songs stuck in listeners’ heads with lyrics like, “This is for you mister/ I don’t know your name/ I saw you two months ago/ I wonder if you remember me like/ I remember you.” With such infectious lyrics, there’s little doubt Jenson will soon to be quoted in Facebook statuses. “Give It Time” covers topics on slowing down and appreciating life because it’s impossible to control. Maybe Tomorrow also touches on personal fears of failure and taking risks, problems that any individual could relate to. Songs like “And You Were” and “Wait For You Here” provide soft, romantic tones with lyrics inflecting on how love can change everyday life.
Jenson’s calming musical style is something she brings with a lot of the pieces featured on Maybe Tomorrow. However, she breaks her typical style with an Alanis Morissette angry-at-life-and-wanting-to-be-heard theme in “Edgy 8 Ball Song.” With crude back-up vocals and aggressive musicianship, it creates an angry, grungy tone unlike her other tracks. There is also a featured duet on the song “Do You Only Love the Ones Who Look Like You,” with the lead singer Jon Foreman from the band Switchfoot providing some variety to the acoustic album.
The production of Maybe Tomorrow has the quality of a simple, basement-recorded album. Instead of cutting out background noise before she starts performing, the audience can hear conversations, critiques and other vocal cues before any instrumental starts. It gives Jenson this image of being an organic, independent artist distinct from the other pop/acoustic songstresses signed to major recording companies. Her voice is very personal and makes the listener feel as if they are in the studio with Jenson. On her Facebook page, as well as on her other websites, it says, “Imagine if you hadn’t truly planned on being a solo singer/songwriter, and then suddenly one day, you find yourself in the spotlight.” Jenson truly relates with her audience as being a person taking it day by day, trying to accomplish her own version of the American dream.
With the impression of being a genuine artist and carrying the West Coast vibe, her songs aren’t filled with edited beats and techno renditions. If you’re looking for a new artist to add to your Pandora acoustic list, Molly Jenson should be just that. She’s not overwhelming or overbearing. She has a calming effect with her catchy melodies. Consider it perfect study music.
4 stars out of 5.
