Album Review: Jaime Wyatt – Feel Good

Jaime Wyatt’s last album Neon Cross was an authentically raw tale of her recovery from addiction and the grit that it takes to walk the line towards redemption and renewal. Pleasing then that she looks so happy and healthy on the cover of her positively titled new album ‘Feel Good’.

Jaime begins the album with an uplifting rallying call about preserving the earth in the face of impending doom and destruction. ‘World Worth Keeping’ is a brave and powerful song – not many in the music industry ever seem to mention things like climate change (except Neil Young) so credit to her for writing a song that asks people to wake up and do something about preserving the beauty of the earth. ‘Take a look around you at the world worth keeping’ is the kind of simple, evocative refrain that we all need to sing to ourselves daily when we think about the challenges we face to save this planet.

While this sets the tone musically for the rest of the album – an uplifting blend of soulful, bluesy rock and roll – she doesn’t hammer home the political message, moving back towards more personal stories in the other songs.

The title track ‘Feel Good’ begins in a more subdued, honest place, taking us through the difficulties in maintaining her sobriety. To ‘feel good’ is the aim, the hope, the dream rather than an easily achieved reality.

On songs like ‘Back to the Country’ and ‘Fugitive’ you hear how her voice has developed across her records – the depth of personality she conveys really helps to bring the stories of prison, poverty and crime authentically to life.

Singing from an honest place has also helped her to embrace being clear about her sexuality, using ‘she’ pronouns on the love song ‘Love is a Place’. This one letter switch might seem insignificant on the surface, but it’s a quietly revolutionary choice.

Despite the album title, there is still some space on the record for those darker, more troubled moments that informed her earlier albums. ‘Where the Damned Only Go’ is a sparse and haunting break-up song, offering little comfort for the loss. And those who preferred her more traditionally country influences will find what they’re looking for on the excellent ‘Ain’t Enough Whisky’ which she sings with Butch Walker.

The album ends with ‘Moonlighter’ which begins as a lament for things she’s lost while living on the road, and ends with radical self-acceptance.

For those struggling with addiction troubles to ‘Feel Good’ without help from substances is never easy. But, as Isbell sings, it does get easier with time and musicians like him and Jaime sharing their stories and struggles always helps.

‘Feel Good’ is an album which grows more confident and hopeful sounding with every listen. Spend some time with this one.

BUY: https://www.jaimewyatt.com/merchandise