30 Mar 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Jayson Norris - Freedom Twenty Eight Album Review

14 Feb 2011 // A review by Miss_Jukebox

Beyond the golden cast Iron Gate, is situated an expressive and deep lake full of musical magic and melodic histories. When you slip open the card case of Freedom Twenty Eight you will discover a gem of an album by internationally renowned musician Jayson Norris. Norris brings his work back home for a personal and profound collection of songs. Freedom Twenty Eight is a commanding and enthralling album that showcases Norris’ immense talent as singer and songwriter.

‘Freedom to Live’ was the first release from album. This heartfelt and peaceful song reveals the husky and weathered voice of Norris. ‘Freedom to Live’ is both soothing and haunting with a circulating wisdom throughout. ‘Questions’ is a soulful search for the answers to the big questions in life. The song sketches the world in the mess of reality. In the third track ‘Song,’ the guitar has its own voice. Each string and each strum moves beyond just melodies into something much more multi-faceted.

The latest single ‘Window’ is appropriately a summery, pop-folk song. A very simplistic, light and easy song, ‘Window’ embodies a lazy summer afternoon. Reggae makes its feature in ‘Time and Time Again’ a track with all the assiduousness of a reggae tale. The extended song moves into an instrumental exhibition, which lets the reggae roll free, and turns rockier and heavier in its conclusion. ‘Time and Time Again’ makes a second appearance at the closing of the album in an acoustic reincarnation. The acoustic version of this song is amazing in a completely different way to the preceding funk version. The acoustic scene that is set in the latter version has a poignancy that is haunting.

‘Love Someone’ is a song that cries out to be heard and enjoyed. Featuring another talented Jason (Kerrison from OpShop) on background vocals the song is a precise blend of goodness and harmony and is a real highlight of the album. ‘Make it Right’ works in a bluesy groove that is full of solitude and heartache. This is followed by the pop-rock song ‘The End.’ ‘Magic Words’ effortlessly creates a detailed scene with an atmosphere that makes it feel so close and familiar.

The album’s later tracks are the meaningful ‘Superhero’ which digs into the sorrows of everyday and reaches up beyond the tribulations, towards one’s hopes and one’s dreams. ‘Save Me’ is the kind of song that not many artists could pull off. But the earnestness in Norris’ vocals is to be marvelled, and this track is captivating because of its desperation.

Freedom Twenty Eight is what all singer/songwriters aspire to create. Norris’s work has lead to this sincere piece of work that allows the yearning tones of his restful yet grainy vocals to lead the listener through a vivid path of life experiences and all of the wisdom that has been gained. This is an undoubtedly fantastic listen for the ears, but even more so Freedom Twenty Eight is beauty for the soul.

 

-Janise.

Freedom Twenty Eight
View Track Listing
 

About Jayson Norris

Jayson Norris is a Singer/Songwriter originally from Kaitaia, a small town situated in the far north of New Zealand’s North Island. Jayson relocated to London in 2004 where he has remained. Since his move to the UK, Jayson Norris has released two albums, A Basket Full in 2006 and the 2009 release Freedom To Live.

A Basket Full was released in 2006 on Jayson’s own Indie label, Rangiputa Records and achieved over 2,000 sales independently in London alone. Singles like Window and The Beginning winning favour with an ever increasing fan base.

The independent success of A Basket Full provided opportunities for support slots throughout the UK with well known artists such as Blue King Brown, Pete Murray, Dave Dobbyn, Breaks Co-Op and The Black Seeds, along with invitations to perform at some of London’s biggest music festivals including Love Box, Secret Garden and Toast to name just a few.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Jayson Norris

Releases

Eroded
Year: 2016
Type: EP
Save My Soul
Year: 2014
Type: EP
Freedom Twenty Eight
Year: 2011
Type: Album
A Basket Full
Year: 2006
Type: Album

Other Reviews By Miss_Jukebox

Age Pryor - Single Review: Burning Sun
15 Nov 2018 // by Miss_Jukebox
Having built a steady portfolio of compositions since the turn of this century, Age Pryor (Fly My Pretties, The Woolshed Sessions, Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra) has inconspicuously become a pillar amongst New Zealand’s finest artists. And in the same understated way his career has unfolded so far, his new single Burning Sun retains the unassuming charm and placidity of his sound.
Read More...
Sola Rosa - EP Review: In Spaces
15 May 2018 // by Miss_Jukebox
The highly-acclaimed, genre-fusing artist Sola Rosa is back with a new EP In Spaces - a stellar addition in the artist’s almost two-decade career. In Spaces explores the soundscapes of funk, soul and RnB, pillared by sturdy grooves and commanding vocal performances from a selection of outstanding feature artists.
Read More...
Emily Fairlight - Single/Video Review: The Escape
13 Mar 2018 // by Miss_Jukebox
Poet and alt-folk singer-songwriter Emily Fairlight has released her latest song The Escape - a bittersweet romantic ballad with plush country/folk vibes. It’s a hauntingly beautiful composition that sinks into you with its heartfelt delivery and writing.
Read More...
The Frank Burkitt Band - Album Review: Raconteur
14 Feb 2018 // by Miss_Jukebox
Peruse through the gorgeous pages of Frank Burkitt’s storybook in Frank Burkitt Band’s latest album – a beautiful collection of narratives set to folk, jazz, blues and American roots essences. Raconteur is the second full-length album from the band, who formed in Wellington during 2014 after Burkitt, and his partner Kara Filbey (who provides vocals, flute and percussion on the album) moved from Edinburgh.
Read More...
I Am Giant - Single Review: Don't Look Back
08 Feb 2018 // by Miss_Jukebox
New Zealand’s rock darlings, I Am Giant have started their 2018 with a bang – releasing their first new single of the year, Don’t Look Back; before they unleash their hotly-anticipated third full-length album, Life in Captivity - which is due out in March. This will be the first full-length release from the band since 2014’s Science and Survival.
Read More...
Lucas O'Connell - Songs to Sleep On Album Review
10 Nov 2013 // by Miss_Jukebox
Music voyager Lucas O’Connell has released a beautiful debut album, Songs to Sleep On that encapsulates his skills to meaningfully personify all that is around him. The album was recorded primarily in Wellington’s Surgery Studios under the guidance of his main studio engineer Dr.
Read More...
Lucie Hill - Little Lapin EP Review
09 Jul 2013 // by Miss_Jukebox
One look into her bright eyes, Little Lapin will have you mesmerised. Auckland-based Lucy Cioffi in her musical alter-ego Little Lapin has finally released her self-titled debut EP.
Read More...
Sarah Conlan Singles Review
25 May 2013 // by Miss_Jukebox
Sarah Conlan, a young country singer/songwriter is part of a country music resurgence happening before our eyes. I always thought of country music as a self-contained genre.
Read More...
View All Articles By Miss_Jukebox

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • PRAISE JAH IN THE MOONLIGHT
    YG Marley
  • CARNIVAL
    Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • LOVIN ON ME
    Jack Harlow
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem