“Crying” by Jessica Kaela is a feat of both performance and melody writing. Sewn into this dreamy song are a beautiful, clear vocal, a heart-wrenching message, and a tasteful production value. You’ll be engrossed within seconds of hearing those first sentimental guitar chords–and by the end, you’ll be aching for more from Jessica Kaela
Her first verse appears with a breathy timbre and an immediate theme. As Jessica describes the dissolution (or perceived dissolution) of a relationship, the listener breathes a sigh of all-too-relatable catharsis. The minor-leaning chord progression furthers the pain of each word with this ethereal power. Suddenly, the melody gets faster and more rhythmic, and a cloud of background vocals envelops the sound. The atmosphere shifts from a singer-songwriter style to a pop feel with little more than a subtle, expert melody change.
New textures slowly layer in, like the plinks of a delicate piano and the thump of an electronic drum groove. The dynamic growth of this song is a slow burn, but an effective one. She switches from her head voice to a powerful belt for the later choruses, infusing them with a bit more urgency. However, the last few lines she utters return to that intimate, quiet tone she put on at the start. As the last few sounds fade out, the listener basks in this glorious, full-circle musical experience. Jessica Kaela’s talent and discernment show so clearly through “Crying.” Be sure to give her a stream and a follow on your choice of streaming service or social media platform!
Written by Alyce Lindberg
