Jessica Lynn – All I Own: Album Review

By John Barlass on 15th January 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

Joyful, raucous sophomore album from acclaimed Brooklyn-born Country Arena Rocker, Jessica Lynn.

Release Date: 17^th January 2025

Label: Self Release

Formats: CD / Digital

A TSUNAMI OF WAVES

You might well be familiar with Jessica Lynn. The Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter and performer of great distinction has been generating a tsunami of waves for quite some time – she’s shared stages with such luminaries as The Allman Betts Band, Phil Vassar, ZZ Top and the undisputed “Queen of Country,” Loretta Lynn and after her 2017 single, Crazy Idea, broke into the US Country Chart, she’s enjoyed a cascade of success; 22 hit singles in 21 countries.

Jessica plays piano, guitar, harmonica and drums and she has a talent for expressing complex emotions in an uncomplicated way. Her music is joyful, expressive and so regularly raucous that it’s earned the description of “Country Arena Rock.” All I Own is Jessica’s second album and it follows her chart-busting 2022 debut, Lone Rider.

REMARKABLE RESILIENCE

However, despite the momentum that she’s currently enjoying (momentum which, I’d say, All I Own is certain to accelerate) the past couple of years have been an almighty challenge for Jessica Lynn. Complications arising from a routine sinus operation led to a bout of muscle tension dysphonia (MTD), a condition that impacts the operation of the larynx. It could have killed her career stone dead but, with huge determination, she pulled through. All I Own stands as a testament to the resilience of this remarkable lady.

Speaking of the tribulations that she has had to suffer, Jessica said: “I hid what I was going through from everyone else because I was afraid that we would lose tour dates opportunities and I didn’t want to admit that it was real. I started singing as soon as I could talk and I started my first band when I was 13. Music is all I’ve ever known and the thought of potentially never being able to sing normally again was a feeling I couldn’t quite put into words.”

Apparently, recording All I Own wasn’t easy. Jessica had to limit much of her vocal input into short, intense bursts but it’s to her eternal credit that no listener could ever notice any joins. Indeed, Jessica’s powerful vocals – they range from tuneful intimacy to full-bore soulful passion – are one of several aspects that characterize All I Own and make the album such a rewarding listening experience.

VOCALS THAT REACH FOR THE SKY

The album’s vibrant opening track, Bet On It, is a thinly-disguised critique of the music industry. There’s no doubting that Jessica means what she says when she sings “For every king and queen, I’ve got an ace up my sleeve,” in a flat-out rocker, packed with chugging guitars, with Andrew Harts’ crisp drumbeat and Art Labriola’s swirling organ providing a firm foundation.

Inspired by Jessica’s husband, guitarist Steve Sterlacci – a major presence throughout the album – lead single Something’ Bout You is a bright, joyful, love story that Jessica manages to instil with both tenderness and force at the same time, whilst Jessica and the band move into funk territory for the rock-solid Ain’t Done With You. Guitar and organ swap licks as Jessica’s vocals reach for the sky and guest guitarist Tommy Vlaeminck throws in a couple of blistering solos for good measure. It’s a song that is pleading to be released as a single.

The pace is slowed for the album’s title track, All I Own and the accompaniment is dialed back to just acoustic guitar and strings. Jessica has moderated her vocal delivery, too, yet the passion and sincerity of her lyrics are, if anything, given additional credibility by her plaintive tones. And, she continues with that restraint for the Latin-flavoured Shame except, that is, when the intensity returns for the song’s final chorus.

RAUNCH AND SLEAZE

“With a cherry on top, mixed signals are all I’ve got” is Jessica’s raunchy message in Mixed Signals. Andrew’s drumbeat keeps things sharp as guitarist husband Steve and organist Art fight a bluesy duel behind Jessica’s deliciously sleazy, breathy vocals – and there’s no let-up with the sleazy blues for the excellent Straight Outta Luck. The song is something of a tour-de-force for guitarist Steve as he drives things along with a powerful, resonant guitar lick and Jessica shows her soulful leanings with yet another breathtaking vocal delivery.

British army veteran Luke Wakefield is the guest vocalist for the sublime You save Me, and WHAT a job he does. The song is a tribute to music’s power to heal and Luke’s mellow tones are the perfect match for Jessica’s reflective lyrics that include lines like: “You lift me out of the depths when I’m sinking; just like a beacon of light, you shine.” The accompaniment is pared right back to Jessica’s acoustic guitar and Bob Riedel’s pedal steel completes the wistful feel of the song.

AN ENTICING BLEND

Described as a “Musician’s prayer,” 16 Miles was written during a lonely tour stop on a ranch that was surrounded by 16 miles of nothing. In her lyrics, Jessica uses the metaphor of her surroundings to tell a story of holding onto faith in music, even during the most lonely moments. The song features Kyle Dillingham on fiddle and he adds a country edge to what would otherwise be a simmering rock tune, and the result is an enticing blend of The Stones and The Band, with Jessica’s amazing vocals adding the soulful spirit of Whitney Houston.

I Never Said It’d Be Easy is the sparkling, stomping rocker that Jessica has chosen to close her album. The chugging guitars and simmering organ are back, as Jessica’s vocal builds from melodic intimacy to soaring euphoria. The song is a nailed-on live-show favourite and an excellent choice to conclude a life-affirming album. All I Own is an album that I recommend you play in your car; those long journeys will fly by, and, following Jessica’s cue, you’ll sing your heart out.

Watch the official video to Something ‘Bout You – the album’s lead single – here: