RoJo Could Go Places ...

Posted on the 11 November 2013 by Tlb Music Blog @TLB_Blog
We often babble on about how important vocals are to us ... and honestly, they are, but that doesn't mean a song can be nothing but vocal capability (in some cases), and unfortunately, despite knowing that Roxanne Jones has one of the most beautiful and perfect vocals going, her latest single, Living A Lie, is something that we just wanted a little more from.
Please take note that this is not a post to slate someone, which we have done in the past (we won't lie). This is a genuine critique at someone who is utterly fantastic at what they do, but may need some guidance into how we believe we would do it.
The music is all done on traditional instruments and the percussive ones are a little dismissed and come across as, last minute add-ons. The piano is dainty, the shrouded strings, and, as we said, that somewhat wasted drum make up what we can only consider the sort of backing that an X Factor winner used to have as their leading single ... it's a shame really, because, with a single that is expertly aimed at someone who stabbed her in the back, you'd expect more conviction and angst within this track. It seems that the broken parts of Roxanne are what have been focussed on, rather than the strong parts that would really give her charisma.
The thing with Roxanne is that, despite having a talent that could match the likes of Adele, Beyonce, Birdy, or Gabrielle Aplin, she uses it in a way that has become very old, very quickly. We reckon that, if she would consider furthering her music career, Roxanne should really look into making something that channels the more aggressive, feminist, and powerful woman in her that men would fall at the feet of. In this, we see nothing but another broken heart, something which has been so saturated that the next one would be round the corner if this flopped.
We reckon that, with a vocal like Roxanne possesses, there is absolutely no reason that she couldn't come back next time with a song that is less traditional, more experimental, and channels some much deeper, more challenging emotions into an incredible song.
Paul.