Chicago-based and self-described “queer country” songwriter Jodi (aka Nick Levine) has announced their debut album: it’s called Blue Heron and comes out on July 16 through Sooper. The title of the record comes from a couple of chance encounters with the great blue heron, which Levine saw as an undeniable sign:
“It pulled me out of a spiral. Maybe you’re not in the amount of control that you think and that’s actually a good thing. There’s so much life happening outside of your head and that’s really grounding to remember.”
That realisation of “so much life happening outside your head” is where we find Jodi on lead single “Go Slowly”, which situates the singer at a party, lurking like a wallflower, wishing they didn’t have to talk about themselves. With the warm tone of the guitar and lap steel encircling their neuroses, we feel a natural affinity towards the songwriter and their reclusive nature. Humble admissions continue to unravel through “Go Slowly”, none more than the subtly stirring request of the chorus: “can we go slowly?” A song that finds Jodi gently battling the daily requirements of being a functional human in a world that causes continual waves of melancholy, “Go Slowly” is a beautiful and lovable introduction to what will surely be a wonderful album.
Find “Go Slowly” below or on your preferred platform.
Jodi’s debut album Blue Heron arrives on July 16 via Sooper. You can find them on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
