Midwestern-born singer-songwriter and versatile recording artist Jan Edwards releases her highly-anticipated follow-up album to her 2023 release, DARK, with the new, uplifting 14-track album LIGHT.
From Minneapolis to Nashville and now Naples, FL, Jan Edwards is known for her genre-bending fusion of country, jazz, soul/R&B, pop, folk, and blues. Her talented songwriting has landed 1st place in the country category for the USA Songwriting Competition, not to mention her single "I Will," which was recorded and released by Darrin Morris, landing #1 on the Texas charts for three weeks.
Now, Jan Edwards is back and better than ever after the cold winter months, moving forward from the DARK and encouraging listeners to embrace the LIGHT. The album unlocks with the inspirational opener, "Dream Girl," kicking off the experience with Jan Edwards's tender vocals and warm acoustic guitar, encouraging listeners that their dreams are never too far out of reach. If we never chase them, we'll never know how close they truly are.
She ramps up the emotion in track two, "You and Me," painting all sorts of passionate images and scenarios in the listener's mind from the get-go. The soothing instrumentation paired with Edwards' vulnerable lyrics makes this song deeply impactful. While the energy heightens in track three, "Heart First," the impact can be said to be the same. Jan Edwards reminds us that when we keep ourselves open to new things, people, and experiences, we open ourselves up to the love we deserve.
Setting off on a sonic daydream is track four, "Butterflies," and it sounds like Jan Edwards just might've found the love of her life. The whimsical and light-hearted instrumentation perfectly highlights Edwards' fairytale lyrics of getting ready to settle down with someone special. And what results from that? In "Pretty As A Picture," it seems that everything is coming up roses. The sun's shining, people are smiling, and being alive feels better than ever.
Reaching song six, "Light In The Dark," Jan Edwards shows us just what good the darkness can bring. Sure, it might feel like your world is falling apart, but at the end of that tunnel, even inside of it, there can be light in the dark. The same inspirational theme continues in "Bless The Beautiful," opening with tender piano melodies and Jan Edwards' breathy vocals that encourage humankind to never give up on saving the world around us and how the people (and places) in it are pretty amazing.
Onto the album's second half with track eight, "Perfect World," Jan Edwards opens this stunning song with soulful piano melodies and her warm vocals explaining how the stars and sun shine brighter in her perfect little world. The album's emotion reaches its peak on track nine, "Beautifully Broken," sonically serenading listeners with soothing instrumentation and Jan Edwards' lyrics that champion growth, inner beauty, and how the darkest times bring the greatest transformations.
So, what does one do to treat oneself to some self-care? In "Paris Is Calling," Jan Edwards says all it takes is an imaginary vacation to the moonlit outdoor cafes of Paris. It's her 'happy place' - that inner sanctuary when the going gets tough. On track 11, "Rise Up," Jan Edwards provides what might be the most motivational song on the album. It's an anthemic, powerful, yet comforting reminder that we mustn't give up when obstacles arise. We get one life to live, and it's our duty to "Rise Up" and move forward.
Jan Edwards has mastered the art of impactful, emotionally-driven songs that depict the human experience, as heard in "Walking With Angels," an emotional reminder that angels are upon us, whether we see them or not. And just like that, she takes us on a cathartic journey into "Set You Free," a truly empowering listening experience that highlights how it's okay to rely on others for help. Your meaningful connections can help "Set You Free" from life's burdens, but it's on you to accept them.
Reaching the final track of the album "Let's Do Summer," Jan Edwards infuses this song with the utmost radiant energy that leaves us itching for the upcoming summer season. It's a perfect track to help you shake off the winter blues and prepare for bright days, warm nights, and good vibes all around. We love this choice of outro track for such a hopeful and positive album, and we're ready to see what Jan Edwards has up her sleeve next.
Allow the serene and uplifting stylings of singer-songwriter Jan Edwards to transport you through a journey of the 'brighter' side of the human experience with her 14-track album, LIGHT, now available on all digital streaming platforms.