I first got to know Laura Jayne through her radio program Loud`n`Lush on a small American online radio station – From the Holler. She showcased independent artists from all over the world, offering an eclectic mix of genres and performers. She had such a warm and delicate voice, just made for the radio and I would often just listen in to hear her speak. I`m a huge radio nerd. Give me a good show, with a curated playlist and a DJ with interesting voice manners and Malicia`s a happy camper. It is such a shame that Laura decided to put her show on hiatus but her other big passion took the front seat.
Single cover
Besides creating great music programmes, Laura Jayne is also an incredibly talented singer in her own right. To date she released five singles: “River” and “Kiss Me on a Friday Night” in 2022, followed by “Hiding My Heart”, “Games” and “That`s Reality” in 2023. She has been played on Radio X by legendary John Kennedy, BBC Introducing and received a decent following on Spotify, with “Kiss Me on a Friday Night” hitting over 7 thousand streams since its release. Quite impressive achievement for an independent artist.
We have been reviewing Laura on Indieterria before. Her songs fluctuate between power pop, rock and adult contemporary, with Heart, Pat Benatar and Laura Branigan being an influence. But it seems that she wants to close 2023 off with something completely different – a proper Christmas ballad.
“Blue Fairy” may not be intended to be a Christmas track, but it is hard not to think so by just looking at the single cover – a frost nymph wearing a crown of roses made of ice and holding what looks like a bright firework in her hands. In Northern folklore, frost nymphs – close cousins to dryads – roam the forests, play in the snow and occasionally trick lumberjacks and hunters. Do not get on their bad side (for example leaving litter in the forest) as they may turn you into an ice sculpture and you will thaw away in the spring. As spirits, they are commonly associated with Yuletide.
On “Blue Fairy”, there are no tricksters through, rather a contemplative, even sad realisation that not every story ends with a `happily ever after`.
“It may seem like a silly song all about Disney and fairy tales, but when you listen again, you might just start to see the deeper meaning hidden inside” – says Laura Jayne – “Just like fairy tales, they usually start with betrayal and trauma, but in real life, there isn’t always a happy ending. But there is always hope”.
“Blue Fairy” begins with a delicate piano and gradually rises into a powerful ballad, full of wonders: acoustic guitar riffs, orchestration in the chorus and melodic, yet cold and distant main vocals. It almost feels like taking a walk in the forest in winter. You can hear your own echo all around, you can see the snowy blanket covering everything and small, delicate snowflakes falling on your mittens. Well at least that’s the image I have in my head when I`m listening to the single. And I have to say, it is nice to write this review while sitting under the blanket with a cup of hot chocolate on the desk and our resident fat cat for company.
I like the fact there are no usual bells and upkeep tempo on this song. In recent years listeners have been through a grinder with over-the-top tracks about sausage rolls and winter wonderland, when in reality a bit of snow paralyzes the country and the possibility of having a white Christmas is just about every Brit’s worst nightmare. I think it is refreshing to remember that you don’t need to force a smile and feel good around holidays that sometimes don’t make us feel good at all.
I don’t want to force an interpretation of the single here. “Blue Fairy” can be a sad love song, it can be a seasonal tearjerker or maybe just a general end of the year banger. But it is genuinely one of the best songs Laura Jayne published so far – showing her as a true maverick and a great composer. I hope it won’t get buried under the avalanche of other holiday tunes. It would be such a shame.
It may be one of the last reviews on the blog before the Christmas/NYE break so have yourself a good time. Stay sane and don’t overdo it with the pudding.
“Blue Fairy” is out on December 8th though Laura`s own Earth Birds Records.
Photo by Wilf Gill
Be sure to follow Laura Jayne on socials:
https://twitter.com/LauraJayne3w1m
https://www.instagram.com/laurajayne3w1m/
https://www.facebook.com/laura.lawton.94
https://www.tiktok.com/@laurajayne3w1m
www.youtube.com/@LauraJayne2023
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6n8ZQlWwfUUrLVeC3JLQ4T
Our coverage so far:
https://vanadianavenue.co.uk/2022/05/06/laura-jayne-kiss-me-on-a-friday-night-review/
https://vanadianavenue.co.uk/2023/09/23/laura-jayne-thats-reality-single-review/
Malicia Dabrowicz
Indieterria 
One Comment