Music for the mind

I just listened a new track by one of last year’s most interesting newcomers, jj. The song is called “Let go” and it will be on their forthcoming second album jj no 3. It’s available for free download on Secretly Canadian’s web site. “Let go” starts with a haunting harmonica, and along with some sounds of soft waves comes jj’s distinctive airy sound. This very short song takes the listener to a world similar to the one heard on their debut album. One can imagine sitting on a beach in August enjoying the little warmth trapped in the sand while the winds from the sea already force you to grab a blanket around you.

Listening to these three minutes on repeat and feeling that August wind in you makes it even more strange to think that this is the same duo I saw live two weeks ago. They were then visiting a club in Helsinki on a Thursday evening. It really wasn’t the best time for me to go to see any gig, but I had to find out what this mysterious duo was really about. I already thought I’m going to miss most of their gig having to leave early, when electronic beats changed to a classical orchestral piece and people started to gather around the small stage. After that came some hip-hop samples, and a shy girl with a huge hairdo sat alone behind a mic. My hopes were still up when the familiar rhythms from jj no. 2 filled the room while wide sceneries where displayed on the screen behind the beautiful voiced singer. Very soon, though, it started to seem more like a farce. Everything came from the tape, a short song after each other. The singer smiled shyly and looked away most of the time. A few times she chose the wrong moment to drink her beer and one could hear some vocals coming from the tape as well. And what’s more, after 20 minutes it was all over. The tape was over and she climbed down.

Although I was disappointed, I realized that jj’s sound would be impossible to recreate live with a large band. That dreamy sound doesn’t really ask for anyone to present it live at all. For me, this sort of music deserves to be listened with an open mind that creates its own imagery. Therefore, after the show I chose jj no. 2 from my mp3 player, and suddenly I was flying above savanna in the heat of the African sun. The next moment I was diving among colorful fish and finally sitting on a beach at midnight watching a bon fire and the people dancing around it.

There are bands that drive us into crazy euphoria along with the ten thousand other people in the crowd. And on the other hand, there are albums that take us to places on earth, and beyond, where we’d never get to go otherwise.