"Djesse, Vol. 2", by Jacob Collier Chosen by IMC Co-host Rick Such

I can’t imagine what it would be like to be inside the mind of Jacob Collier. I can only surmise that it’s constantly swirling with new, harmonious ideas. And don’t let his boyish appearance fool you, because he’s wise beyond his years in regard to his musicality, composition, and songwriting skills. His creations are nothing short of brilliant. Oh, and then there’s his vocal harmonies. Regardless of how he creates them, they’re electric and have become a staple of his music.

His 2019 release “Djesse Vol. 2” is one that I initially overlooked. I had heard a track or two and enjoyed them, but until recently I hadn’t given the entire album a proper pass. I’m so glad I came to my senses, because as a whole, this album is magnificent from start to finish. It’s a collection of songs that involves a variety of musical styles, including pop, rock, jazz, classical, bossa-nova, African, Irish folk, funk, and soul. Collier also invited several special guests into his world, including Steve Vai, Becca Stevens, Portuguese vocalist and composer MARO, Grammy Award-winning Malian Wassoulou musician Oumou Sangare, and British singer/songwriter Lianne La Havas, to name a few.

Despite the fact that Collier is a self-taught musician, who was inspired by his parents and didn’t have formal music training, he has risen to notoriety through creating music in his bedroom and thus becoming a YouTube sensation. Quincy Jones took notice, supported his first album release, and from his bedroom came the world - and “Djesse Vol. 2” harnesses a world of imagination, creativity, and songs that allude beauty, positivity, happiness, and love.

Every track on “Djesse Vol. 2” is captivating, but there are a few highlights that I want to mention:

The “Intro”, which is followed by “Sky Above” sets the tone for this album. The Irish folk feel of the “Intro” carries us through to the slow and prodding, yet gorgeous vocal harmonies of “Sky Above”. The final lyric in this opening segment, “Home is always waiting for you” calls back to “Djesse Vol. 1” and after a brief pause transitions into an uplifting acoustic guitar pattern leading us back to Collier’s amazing vocal harmonies. This track is beautiful and almost cinematic - which could aptly describe the entire album.

Track 3, “Bakumbe”, features Sam Amidon and continues the Irish folk feel, but leads into a raucous celebration toward the end of the track.

Track 4, “Make Me Cry”, just might be my favorite track on the album. This song is gentle and touching. I’m not sure of Collier’s interpretation of the lyrics, but I imagined this as perhaps a parent’s set of life lessons to their child. And yes, it made me cry.

Track 9, “I Heard You Singing”. Similar to “Make Me Cry”, this lullaby (in 5) is sweet, uplifting, and touches every part of my being. Chris Thile from Nickel Creek plays mandolin and Becca Stevens accompanies Collier on vocals.

Track 11, “Here Comes The Sun”. It’s fitting that Collier included his spin on the Beatles classic, as I often think of Collier and this album in particular as a modern-day creative force, akin to what the Beatles accomplished in the late 60’s. Dodie accompanies Collier on this duet that’s arguably the finest take on this song outside of the original version.

Track 16, “Time To Rest Your Weary Head”. In stark contrast to the 15 tracks preceding this one, Collier uses a single, acoustic guitar and only his voice. This is somewhat of a vulnerable moment for him, as we’ve become accustomed to the grand, lush orchestrations he’s always presented. This song is simple, raw emotion, conjuring the feel of Paul McCartney singing “Blackbird.”

While this is my favorite album of 2019 and my Album Of The Year selection, it’s perhaps my favorite album in many years. The type of creativity that he has shared with us is rare in today’s musical landscape. I’m grateful for geniuses like Collier who have the gift to surprise, delight, and invite us into the depths of their imagination and keep our senses burning to hear their creations over and over. “Djesse Vol. 2” is a masterpiece in this brilliant, young musician’s career and I can’t imagine and can’t wait for what he’ll share with us next.

Rick Such
IMC Co-host
Indianapolis USA