Impressing across both fervent rock charisma and lush balladry, American Dreaming is the new album from Jess McAvoy. The Brooklyn-based non-binary artist continues to impress throughout their prolific career; American Dreaming marks McAvoy’s 15th studio release. Made in collaboration with multi-Grammy Award-winning producer Tre Nagella, the album impresses in its dynamic production and heartrending songwriting.
“Fearless” opens the album with a captivating sense of momentum, lyrically complemented by a “trying to find my way,” introspection. Glistening guitars and a spacious backing ambience arises into the “kick it in,” vigor, where percussive pulses and dreamy guitar swirls complement the rising production. A distortion-friendly vigor takes hold at the two-minute turn, while the vocals plead to live, love, learn, and experience life; it’s a resonating kick-off to an album with a consistent output of high quality songwriting.
A more ballad-set success shows in the subsequent “The Fool,” growing into a triumphant title-touting hook with delectably twangy guitars and soaring vocal passion. A series of exhilarating, melodic turns follow, fully impressing in the range between initial laid-back contemplation and rousing anthemic heights. A multitude of highlights continue beyond, notably the moving “Stuck in a Loop” — with its emotive strings and piano push — and pulsing electro-rocker “Hero Song.” American Dreaming is a memorable, consistent success from Jess McAvoy.
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“The Fool” is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Indie Folk.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
