JESS HARLEN

After stints touring nationally and internationally as backing vocalist with top roots oufit ‘Blue King Brown, Jess hooked up with hip hop producer Plutonic Lab in 2010 to record her debut solo album ‘Neon Heartache’.

‘Park Yard Slang’ is the name of her new album, again produced in collaboration with Plutonic Lab, and it’s our feature album this week on Radio Australia. - ABC Radio National

RAVE MAGAZINE: Album Review
(Plethora Records/Native Tongue Publishing)
Restrained, expressive soul.

On Jess Harlen’s second album there’s a combination of relaxed cool and obvious care, enhanced by the elegant production of Plutonic Lab. Park Yard Slang showcases a skilful songstress who avoids pointless histrionics – making its emotional depths all the more affecting. It’s beautifully coherent; playing with different sounds, drawing on hip hop and reggae, but always returning to soul. Harlen displays the sensitivity of Norah Jones, though she does so with the vocal power of Janelle Monáe. The excellent final track, Silence, makes the most of that voice, with Harlen earnestly pleading “Oh, don’t let me go.” in front of echoing drum fills and stark acoustic guitar. For the most part this is an uplifting record. Lyrically, adversity dominates, but it’s with a mind to take responsibility and tackle obstacles. It’s clear that Park Yard Slang is a labour of love and Harlen’s controlled passion makes it a satisfying listen.

DAN DIXON
(May Issue 2012) - Rave Magazine

RAVE MAGAZINE: Album Review
(Plethora Records/Native Tongue Publishing)
Restrained, expressive soul.

On Jess Harlen’s second album there’s a combination of relaxed cool and obvious care, enhanced by the elegant production of Plutonic Lab. Park Yard Slang showcases a skilful songstress who avoids pointless histrionics – making its emotional depths all the more affecting. It’s beautifully coherent; playing with different sounds, drawing on hip hop and reggae, but always returning to soul. Harlen displays the sensitivity of Norah Jones, though she does so with the vocal power of Janelle Monáe. The excellent final track, Silence, makes the most of that voice, with Harlen earnestly pleading “Oh, don’t let me go.” in front of echoing drum fills and stark acoustic guitar. For the most part this is an uplifting record. Lyrically, adversity dominates, but it’s with a mind to take responsibility and tackle obstacles. It’s clear that Park Yard Slang is a labour of love and Harlen’s controlled passion makes it a satisfying listen.

DAN DIXON
(May Issue 2012) - Rave Magazine

ROLLING STONE: Album Review: 3/4 Stars
(Plethora Records/Native Tongue Publishing)

Melbourne-based songstress Jess Harlen first attracted main-stream attention with a couple of star turns on Muph & Plutonic's 2008 joint And Then Tomorrow Came. The partnership deepened with Plutonic Lab producing Harlen's 2010 debut Neon Heartache, and he's also behind Park Yard Slang, her second full-length. It's a fruitful partnership, the collab once again producing slick, laid back soul jams that highlight Harlen's smooth vocals. Opening with acapella stand-out "Get Ready", Harlen isn't afraid to shift gears, moving form dancehall on "Plantation" to sweet soul on "Up To Me". Closer "Silence" shows what Harlen can do when she cuts loose, capping off an assured second set from an artist to watch.

-Daniel Findlay
(May Issue, 2012) - Rolling Stone