Jess Cornelius - Distance (2020)

Jess Cornelius' evolution as a songwriter and performer has been so gradual that it feels seamless.
Fans of Teeth and Tongue, the band Cornelius headed for four albums, will feel immediately comfortable with this new solo phase of her career.
'Kitchen Floor' is a kind of slow dance, 60s pop moment, delivered with supreme confidence, and the opener to her first solo record Distance.

'No Difference', which follows, sounds just as good; its message – part-resignation, part-reassurance – is more proof of Cornelius' wisdom and openness as a writer.

It doesn't get more honest that 'Body Memory', though. An unflinching description of the deep, unspeakable depression that comes with miscarriage, a topic rarely addressed in our day-to-day lives, let alone music.
The lyric's rawness feels necessary as Cornelius comes to terms with the emotional devastation and lonely misery that comes with such a tragedy. It's so powerful we barely notice its pulsing, expansive synth-pop backing.

The rich modern folk of 'Easy For No One' offers another musical shade to the record's colour palette, while the exquisite 'Born Again' comes at just the right time; a mid-record moment of quiet, reminiscent of the stark balladry of Laura Marling or Leonard Cohen.

'Banging My Head' is perhaps the closest Cornelius gets to replicating the sound of her band (who admittedly traversed plenty of sonic ground across their records); its taut guitar and Cornelius' assertive vocal reminiscent of PJ Harvey.
Cornelius and producer Tony Buchen have scattered clever, ear-pricking production touches across the album. The backing vocals that pop all through 'Love and Low Self Esteem', the whistling that closes 'Here Goes Nothing', the gentle harp in 'Born Again', all of them little gifts that lift their songs ever so slightly.

While we're unsure if we can claim New Zealand-born, Los Angeles-based Jess Cornelius as our own anymore, we will continue to watch in awe as she makes honest records with an open-minded approach to playing whatever the hell she wants. The heart and intent behind each song will always ensure they flow seamlessly.