Casey’s DJ Pick of the Week is “Shake My World Around” by Jess Nolan!
Nashville native Jess Nolan finds a new stillness in her upcoming album, “Right At Home”. Nolan has been whirling through tours as background vocalist for the likes of Joy Oladokun and Jenny Lewis, so she’s glad to have had time to look inward and approach a third solo album. Her process for the album was intentional, fully captured in her home where she wrote it, too. Working alongside producer Megan McCormick, the two used unique recording techniques to translate the lived-in qualities of her home. If you listen close, chair creaks and A/C hums are left in the recordings. The result is an album that she describes as grounded, personal, and deeply textured. This special first single “Shake My World Around” draws on Jess’s soul and singer-songwriter influences, showcasing her vocal ability while stretching the boundaries of her genre.
Musically, it opens with a simple drum machine, and later piano and Nolan’s rich voice fill out the space. The song never explodes, but instead stays controlled, consistently growing. Layers of electric guitars and space-age synths placed perfectly to wrap the central melody in a sonic blanket. Lyrically, the song is full of nostalgic imagery that reminds me of my childhood. Even pulling from her 14-year-old self’s journal, Nolan is seeking groundedness more than ever. “I wanna jump on a trampoline of leaves” or even more blissfully, “I wanna dance to the rhythm of the rain on / speeding cars”. She shares a longing for freedom, moving away from the mundane everyday and into exploration. This single “Shake My World Around” introduces a bold new sound, setting up “Right At Home” as Jess Nolan’s most intimate album yet.
Listen to “Shake My World Around” by Jess Nolan below!
Tune in to 100.1 FM or lightning100.com all day to hear “Shake My World Around” by Jess Nolan, Casey’s DJ Pick of the Week! Also, share your thoughts on the track by tagging #L100DJPicks on Twitter!
