Jess Thristan has been drip-feeding its songs over the last couple of months. Now ‘Constellations II’ is complete, and what a stunning piece it is. With music arranged by producer Christian Reindl, the six cover songs on this EP all shine with fresh originality. Like stars in the night sky, they are presented tenderly and delicately. The soft touch of the violin, the gentle hold of the piano, and the sensitive caress of Jess’s vocal create an atmosphere of great intimacy. The usual expanse of ‘One Day Like This’ is tightened to speak direct to the heart. ‘Hold On Tight’ is made to be written as a love letter rather than rousing speech. The result sees the heartfelt nature of their lyrics brought front-and-centre. Reindl turns off the crescendo and instead paces the music evenly throughout. What could become underwhelming or anticlimactic doesn’t. Instead, the commitment voiced in ‘I’ll Stand by You’ becomes more evident. The strength of friendship in ‘Count on Me’ more keenly felt. As has become Jess Thristan’s trademark, such well-known songs are stripped back to their core before she rewraps their story in the kind of emotive delivery that enables them to be so affective. So adept is she at doing this that the importance of Christian Reindl’s contribution here can be easily missed. He perfects what has come to be her definitive sound. This makes them one hell of a partnership, and ensures that ‘Constellations II’ shines very, very bright.
Featured Image (C) Jess Thristan/Christian Reindl
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