Brand new EP from Jemmy Joe

Jemmy Joe is the kind of artist who deliberately operates outside of the spotlight as a home recording enthusiast who has been making music for no one in particular his entire life but remains steadfast to the path he’s chosen. Born in the Bay Area and now part of the under-the-radar Olympia, Washington scene, his work carries a mix of folk, indie, classic songwriting and pop tinged by what he calls a sardonic optimism.

For years he’s been writing, recording and experimenting, chasing music with pure determination and an experimental ethos. A lifelong punk at heart, he’s always interpreted the style as an openness to everything rather than a strict genre allegiance and that curiosity has shaped his catalogue, which stretches from banjo-driven folk to electronic pop, to jazz harmony explorations and beyond. His favourite artists have often been punks making non-punk music and while he self-deprecatingly claims to do it all “somewhat poorly,” Jemmy Joe celebrates the humanity of amateur art, embracing imperfection as a charming feature of his musical output.

In 2018, he made his official artistic entrance with the debut record Young, Dumb And…, which he’s since followed up with an incredible run of singles, EPs and albums. One of his more unusual undertakings has been a project dedicated entirely to reimagining Bob Dylan songs in unlikely styles and over the past few years, he’s leaned into this reinterpretive streak, aided by a collaborative network in Olympia.

Now, Jemmy Joe circles back to original songwriting with his latest projects, bringing his quirks and unique instincts forward. Earlier this year he unveiled Bitter Sister, an EP that returned him to his own voice while embracing his taste for the undone and the unpredictable. Building on that momentum, he’s now released his brand-new EP titled Only Two Things, a project that showcases both his range and his playful approach to recording.

The concept was to record four entirely different versions of the same song, each rendered through a different stylistic lens. Retro country, synth pop, experimental folk and boogie woogie piano all take turns framing the composition, creating a kaleidoscopic view of his creative vision. Kicked off by “Only Two Things I Know (Pure),” the shuffle of brushed drums and noodling country instrumentation is met his his smooth vocal drawl to form an upbeat jam peppered with bouncy piano plinks, intricate guitar flickers and a delightfully off-kilter aesthetic.

“Only 2 Things I No R True (Plastic)” follows with a wobbly synth pop vibe, propelled by pattering drums and a blend of bright guitar chords and pulsing synth arrangement. Capped by laid back vocal performance, the track flows with a slick, danceable groove while gliding through moments of stripped-back dreamy textures and shifting vocal styles.

With “There’s Only Two Things” (Pretty Ugly),” the soft plucks of instrumental runs and quiet percussive rustle usher in his hushed vocals, resulting in a mellow slice of progressive folktronica. Tinged with woozy synth tones and delicate melodies, it’s a superb reimagining of the song that captures it in a gentle, avant-garde setting. Closing the EP with “Only Two Things I Know Are True (Ragamuffin Performance),” the jaunty flutter of rhythmic piano backing and downtempo march of drums form a minimal backdrop for Jemmy’s vocal leads, offering an off-beat and engaging finale to his new EP release.

Listen to Only Two Things below