Jordan Davis releases new self-titled EP with aplomb. Here, we review the EP and reveal our standout tracks from this stunning project.
With his breakout single ‘Singles You Up,’ Jordan Davis shot into the spotlight and into our musical consciousness, delivering his album Home State that was a measured, deep and cleverly written insight into his hometown, upbringing and love life. Now, Davis has returned, with three top 5 singles under his belt, with his new self-titled EP. Although all six tracks on the album possess that catchy and immense quality that made ‘Slow Dance in a Parking Lot’ such a success, these tracks feel more measured and introspective. There is a sense that Davis has looked back with a newfound maturity at the path he has journeyed to get to where he is and this thoughtfulness has carried itself into his lyrics – many of which are songs of gratitude for his wife and the journey he went on to find her.
The EP opens with the more bombastic ‘Almost Maybes,’ that unpicks the relationships he underwent before finding his wife. ‘Here’s to the one my family thought was gonna make me drop to one knee…those July crushes turned into September leavings.’ The lyrics are clever, turning cliches on their head and ending on a grateful note that he wouldn’t be sitting where he is, and there wouldn’t have been any sad songs ‘if not for the almost maybes.’ The track definitely has the same commercial appeal as his previous hits have had, yet the message of the track feels more authentic, and it is this that will make this EP connect with Davis’ fans on a deeper level.
Without a doubt, one of the standout tracks on this EP (and there are many) is ‘Church in a Chevy’ a track about finding his faith driving along a highway, rather than in church. In some ways, it feels like a quieter version of Morris’ ‘My Church’ in lines like ‘There wasn’t no preacher, wasn’t no choir, wasn’t no words / But it was the best sermon I’ve ever heard.’ The track is breathtakingly frank and honest and truly feels like a powerful insight into Davis’ spirituality – a scary road to go down for any country songwriter, but this is tenderly done.
‘Ruin My Weekend’ and ‘A Little Lime’ offer the lighter elements of the record, sonically and lyrically as a reminder of the success of ‘Singles You Up.’ ‘Ruin My Weekend’ is a song ready for a live show with a swinging rhythm that offers light relief after ‘Church in a Chevy.’ In both tracks, Davis’ production is amped up a notch, as is the tripping and clever lyricism, both possessing an infectious rhythm and hook, as part of the project they are sensational summer-ready anthems, but do not embody the depth of the rest of the project.
‘Detours’ is another personal highlight, bringing back the themes of ‘Almost Maybes,’ looking back at the journey that led him to his current happiness. The grit of Davis vocal in this more stripped back track is absolutely stunning. ‘Yeah, I lost my way, damn near lost my mind… I got way off track, took some wrong turns looking back, but it’s been one hell of a ride on my way to you.’ It is an utterly memorable and glorious love letter to his wife and daughter and feels personal, intimate and relatable all at once.
The EP closes with probably the weakest moment on the record, ‘Cool Anymore’ – his duet with Julia Michaels. While their harmonies are gorgeous here, singing about revealing every side and letting a partner in completely, the sense of intimacy and honesty does not get to the same level as the earlier tracks on the EP. Still, the project is a masterpiece, revealing a deeper maturity and growth since Home State that feels like exactly the right progression and direction in his music. There really isn’t a false note throughout this project and any of these are ready to be sent to country radio, without feeling like they’ve lost anything in their preparation for commercial success.
Standout Tracks
Detours
Church in a Chevy
