A Vast But Edgy Alt-Rock Single From Jessica Lovelock
- BuzzSlayers
- May 26
- 5 min read
A massive new single from Jessica Lovelock delivers a heavy-handed alternative rock backbone with thriving guitars creating a sonic wall of sound that feels like it's just crashing down over you, along with intense but Soulful vocal performances and enlightening progressions and melodies that grab me by surprise the first time around and really hit in such a beautiful way.
One of my favorite aspects of "Unaware" is how it actually has so much heaviness to it, but is also incredibly elegant at the same time.
She's really able to bring together those two elements seamlessly, and in doing so, she creates an atmosphere that feels like you're just sort of swimming through it.
There are elements about this track that feel kind of like shoegaze. I think that comes from the distant feel the vocals give simply because they're drenched in reverb effect. Such a great depth and almost cinematic feel to the track.
The single is already very full-bodied in terms of its tones and textures. It's got loads of gorgeous layers that are just coming at you with such a robust energy at the same time.
That's also a great combination. The boisterous, almost vivacious style energy, along with the dark and edgy overtones.
The guitar work is absolutely outstanding throughout this entire thing. You have those heavier distorted guitars, but then you also have lighter guitars that are playing single notes and arpeggiated chords, so you also have layers going on there.
This is what I mean by full-bodied. There's a lot to chew on but it's an amazing experience for your ears.
Throughout all of this, you have a drummer that's just destroying. The drummer brings in this unbelievable force that serves as the backbone for the rest of the band to push off of.
It's not just in the pocket, but it gives more of a liveliness to the song and breeds that edgy and heavy tonality even further.
The vocals are fluent. She comes in and out, lacing the song with brilliant Melodies and Soulful riffs that complement the way the rest of the song feels.
There's so much to take in throughout the course of this single. This is one of the things I actually adore about it. When you're done listening to the track, you have to sort of snap yourself back to reality again.
This is a song that pulls you away from wherever you are and whatever you're doing; it puts you in a completely different space for a little chunk of time.
Now, towards the second half of the song, there's a cool bridge that happens. This bridge is electronic, still giving off an edginess, but now with synthesizers. It only happens for a few seconds before the song explodes into a more hardcore, heavy metal riff that's sort of halftime, built for the pit, and delivers aggressive vocals.
This was a cool addition to the track that I wasn't really expecting, but it worked amazingly.
The song is definitely a bit existential. It digs into death a little bit. It doesn't go super far, but it definitely touches on some of the things that a lot of us may think about but don't really know how to talk about.
This was a trap of a lot of surprises around its corners and definitely boasted a bit of a deepening sentiment and message.
The whole thing came through with an immense level of intensity that stayed super consistent, and then came to a head during that massively heavy section towards the end of the song.
I love a song that knows how to build like this. You can tell there was a lot of attention paid to the arrangement of the song and how it would come through in the end.
This is certainly a single that delivers its own aesthetic and, in doing so, builds an entire atmosphere for you to soak in.
I would suggest turning this one nice and loud because that's what it was meant for.
The combination of alternative rock, grunge, heavy rock, metal, and soul was outstanding.
Upon listening to the single, I knew I wanted to have a sit-down with Jessica to talk about where it actually all came from and what might be coming up next.
So, while you listen to this track, have a read through of our interview with Jessica Lovelock below.
Remember where you heard it first.
Thanks so much for taking the time with us! Let's jump into "Unaware"!! This track was heavy and hit that alt-rock feel with powerful vocals and some emotional backbone!
What is this track about and where did it come from?
Unaware is about getting a glimpse of an 'in-between space'. Like a third space between life and death, but you were violently pulled out of that place against your will by those who love you because they believed they were saving you. Think Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 6 Episode 3 'After Life'. So you must continue from where you were, knowing what else exists. "I had a glimmer of a paradise somewhere out of reach on the other side, I'm paralyzed.' So you know, just cheerful existential stuff.
What are you performing on this track?
I performed all vocals on the track, except for the very end where Jim (lovely producer) has a verse and some gorgeous screams. We thought a different vocal texture would symbolise the duality nicely and create a sense of tension reflecting the tug-of-war feeling of being torn between/through realms.
I can hear several styles on this one. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
For this track in particular I was inspired by Nerv, Jutes, Madison Beer and Amira Elfeky.
My biggest influences overall are probably Erykah Badu, Courtney Laplante, JoJo, Hayley Williams
Are you performing live at all?
I aim to perform live by the end of 2026 if all aligns, venue bookers make yourselves known.
Did you record this at a big studio, or a home DAW?
This track was recorded in Jim's studio in Manchester. Big up Jim White the producer (jimtheproducer_)
Now that this is out, what's next for you?
A few more tracks from this project are lined up for release. I recently released "Contradiction," which is nice and ragey, and the sexual tension in the next track to be released is thicccc. I've just returned to the UK after a stint of travelling, including a pretty life changing trip to LA and a lot has happened since I wrote this project. I feel like I have a lot more to say on my return and I'm excited to see how that channels/manifests. I'd also love to be hitting some festivals/supports in the near future.
What kind of advice would you give to other bands or artists trying to get heard out there?
Firstly, audacity. You need to put yourself out there and believe in what you're doing to the point that it seems delusional and audacious. The difference between you and the people doing what you want to be doing is that they had the audacity to try. AUDACITY AUDACITY AUDACITY.
Secondly, You've got to be in this for more than the metrics. You've got to love the process of doing it and you've got to create and honor space for life to happen so it can inform your art.
Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Thank you so so much for taking the time out of your day to listen to a new artist from the south of England. I've spent my life singing for other people and to finally put my art out into the world and have others listen and connect to it is amazing. Stay tuned for more world building and more AUDACITY. - Jess xox
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