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Photo by Tara Newell

We're not the only ones out there yearning for a crisp autumn breeze as we are now midway through September, waiting for the type of day that makes you feel like anything is possible and not one single thing could ruin your vibe. 

This is exactly how it feels to listen to Jourden’s new EP A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which is out now wherever you’re finding your music. It’s absolutely covered in euphoric, exciting energy, the same way the sunlight outside your window is shining on every inch of flowers, grass, and the street running through the neighborhood. This project showcases the intrinsic spindle of introspective songwriting that Jourden uses to portray themes of identity, community, love, and determination.

Through listening to this project, it’s honestly hard to not think about your own community, what makes it so special? Who do you surround yourself with and why do you love them? It doesn’t only bring about singularly positive themes, Jourden has developed a knack to turn adversity into strength by honoring her roots and carving her own path forwards through the tough times with authenticity, humor, and unwavering confidence.  

Tracks like the opener, “Summ Out of Nothing,” boast rhythmically fluid, dulcet lyrical hooks which are delivered with a flow so good and structured so nicely they could build a house. Paired with heavenly strings, reverberated production across the instrumentation, this track lays a solid foundation for an incredibly authentic record. You know what they say, authenticity is the new beautiful after all. 

Shifting a bit later into the project, “King Kong” moves through with this strangely, dragging, instrumentation wrapped together by some more incredible confidently delivered lyricism that are rapped with an untouchable flow. Jourden moves through this tension laden track with a groove, and funk that’s laying down the train tracks to chug along through the rest of this record.

The role of confidence on this EP is so integral to its success and why it works, because much like any music, if you don’t believe in it, who will? On “The $triker,” it’s easy to at first listen become inundated by feeling like this is more of the same as we’ve heard on the tracks before it, but truly, Jourden’s determination, love, and most importantly of all, confidence, bring it together and sell it undeniably. 

An artist who has millions of streams worldwide, Jourden’s confidence didn’t just sell me, and it’s easy to see why she’s a rising powerhouse. After releasing her debut EP, Straight No Chase, the seven track EP is an articulate homage to the ‘90s influences that are pumping through the veins of this record like blood pumps through your body. By fusing lyrical flow, hip-hop, neo-soul, and alt R&B, it’s safe to say Jourden’s done her neighborhood and community proud. Perhaps she wrote this record on a day like today, where the sun is out, and nothing can go wrong even if it tries. The vibes are immaculate, and it always helps when the person behind the record laces parts of their heart into it and you can feel it, and that is why Jourden is one of our favorite OnesToWatch.

Listen to A Tree Grows In Brooklyn below: