Bitter Sister is a compelling EP from Jemmy Joe, providing multiple versions of the title track — from ardent rock outpouring to a Neutral Milk Hotel-esque acoustic pulse. Jemmy Joe was initially a noted artist in the Bay Area folk-punk scene, playing banjo with For Fear The Hearts Of Men Are Failing. A move to Olympia, Washington coincided with a focus on home recording and more conventional songwriting. The latest example of that DIY pursuit comes via the Bitter Sister EP, which enjoyably showcases the artist’s aesthetical and tonal range within the same song.
A gripping combination of acoustic and electronic elements adorn the opening “Bitter Sister (arranged).” Clanking guitars and spacey synth unease meld with artful cohesion amidst layers of expressive vocals, enamoring particularly during the closing “my heart should be well schooled,” soaring. Glimmering electronics add an atmospheric grip alongside. Lyrically, Jemmy Joe describes the track as “me processing through an estranged relationship with my sister,” — and that heart-on-sleeve prowess is certainly delivered, reckoning with nostalgia, grief, and unresolved tension that comes with estrangement.
“Who’s this stranger, that I laughed with, when we were so numb and tender?” the vocals ask, reflecting on a time of great harmony. A peppier post-punk feeling arises on the subsequent “(broke and angular),” version, channeling a no-frills arsenal of bouncing bass and jangling guitar that culminates in an anthemic indie-rock vigor. The subsequent “(cassette & dead)” take beckons to the aforementioned Neutral Milk Hotel, embracing an acoustic-led ferocity amidst the elongated croon. Capped off by the track’s instrumental version, Bitter Sister is an inviting journey through Jemmy Joe’s compelling songwriting and eclectic stylistic modes.
