SINGLE REVIEW: Jazmine Fayewood – thinking of me

After returning to the UK from Japan following major changes in her life, NEONshe announced that she would be retiring that music project and the pink wigs that came with it, and stepping out into the world once more as Jazmine Fayewood. Not only has Fayewood used this time to get back on her feet, but also to get on four wheels, documenting the rebuild of her life in a motorhome through her ‘The Wishing Pod’ vlogging series.

Now, at long last, Fayewood has returned to music, with her brand new single, ‘thinking of me’. The synths may glitter and sparkle just as they have in her past, but there is a real moodiness to Fayewood’s work here. Building from an ethereal minimalist ambience towards a shimmering power-pop climax, there’s a real early 2010’s flair to the soundscape; the rhythms are catchy and upbeat without undermining the track’s melancholy, whilst the guitar lick in the back half is a wonderfully playful touch.

Fayewood herself is a magnificent presence throughout, navigating the multifaceted grief of a breakup with a longterm partner with a real openness. Sorrow and a bitter anger take the reins, but slowly give way to longing and the unconditional love one feels for those they care for, even in dire circumstances. Gospel-tinged harmonies in the track’s climax offer a genuinely beautiful addition to Fayewood’s soulful vocals, whilst the central melodies perfectly show Fayewood’s continual growth and improvement as a vocalist.

Transformations have always been a central theme to Fayewood’s work, but perhaps the most ambitious of all her transformations has been to offer simply herself and nothing more. ‘thinking of me’ is the perfect maturation of Fayewood’s prior sound, and serves as a wonderful bridge between her bubblegum past and her indie pop present. An exciting start to a brand new era.

For Fans Of: Ellie Goulding, La Roux, Aurora, Carly Rae Jepsen

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