JJ WILDE - RUTHLESS
Rosie shares her thoughts on the debut JJ Wilde release, Ruthless, and lets you know whether she thinks you should listen or not.
Falling in love with music from an early age, Canadian indie-rock artist JJ Wilde has been grafting non-stop to break into the industry. And it’s certainly paid off, despite having to come to terms with the fact that music might not work out for her. Influenced by the likes of Amy Winehouse, Bruce Springsteen, Adele and Kings of Leon, Wilde eventually finds her own voice and success.
Since the release of her EP, Wilde Eyes, Steady Hands from last year, Wilde has gained 241,687 listeners on Spotify and signed to Black Box Recordings. From living in a horrible apartment and working 4 jobs, JJ Wilde took the bull by the horns and questioned ‘Is this really it?’ and blossomed into a fiercely, unapologetic rocker. Ruthless, her debut full-length, like its name, takes Wilde’s music to a whole new level.
Ruthless doesn’t beat around the bush and launches into Alanis Morrissette meets Courtney Love hybrid with ‘Knees’. Triumphant riffs with bluesy basslines and melodies next to Wilde’s bittersweet, hoarse vocals crying out with conflicted despair. “ I don’t want to love you but I do, I don’t want to need you…”. Then darkening the tone at the bridge with “ I’m wishing I could erase you.” Perfect for driving with your windows down and your middle finger in the air.
‘...I had thought about what I had to say, what my message was and that was to give an unfiltered, unapologetic point of view on my personal experiences, and really anything. I just wanted to be raw.’ ‘Wired’ certainly packs a punch with an unsettling riff with “I’ve been working for myself since seventeen, taking orders, getting low on self-esteem / Wake up, same clothes, off I go to hell… I know a guy who has a cure for that.”
Talking about the exhaustion of working 4 jobs just to live, Wilde is fed up and looking for a release. Packed with sex and rock n roll with moody riffs, piano octaves and a headbanging chorus, ‘Wired’ is all of that anger, exhaustion and passion for living and experience rolled in to one huge hit.
‘State Of Mind’, is a self-accepting anthem about past mistakes and how much we need these to learn and develop. “I know I fuck it up but it’s what I need in the end / I learned the hard way, same mistakes over and over.” are sung over a relatively slow, steady beat and quiet, repetitive riff. A peaceful track allowing you to reflect and let go with Wilde. As she’s stated in a previous interview, ‘Being uncomfortable is the best way to grow’.
Fiercely honest and passionately loud about her life and views, Wilde brings a fresh, powerful voice into the rock scene. Ruthless captures the best and worst sides of her with captivating rock n roll riffs and various other influences from indie to blues. A truly iconic album to inspire every woman to be that strong voice, accept themselves, and live.
Rosie Chalk
★★★★☆