South London singer-songwriter has released her latest album, ‘you, me and jen’, a vulnerable yet confident expression of self-understanding, bolstered by a heavy-hitting selection of features from Erick the Architect, , and .
Sonically, the 13-track record offers more of what JGrrey is lauded for: soulful vocals that dance between Neo-soul, hip-hop and R&B excellence. This time around, however, things feel different.
Tackling personal struggles, hopes and fears, the album sees JGrrey turn inwards and introspective, with lyrics and accompanying visuals that emphasise a sense of rawness and vulnerability. Compared to 2023’s ‘If Not Now?’, this feels like a considered return that shows JGrrey as an artist who has grown wiser, without losing sight of who she is.
Take ‘pedigrree’, a soothing record on which JGrrey reflects on her upbringing and identity. One line early on proves particularly powerful: “Runt of the litter yet I am an alpha bitch”. It defines Jen, and this body of work, so well: fiercely self-assured while remaining vulnerable about the wounds she carries from the past. All the while, jazz-inspired drums sweep back and forth beneath her vocals.
‘Bedbug’ offers a different side to JGrrey, giving her space to stunt and let her confidence reign. The track’s trippy instrumentals and record scratches feel right at home alongside Erick the Architect, the Brooklyn rapper known for his work with Flatbush Zombies. Jen opens with the chorus before briefly pulling herself back, pausing to declare, “Nah, I’m just kidding…” It’s a playful moment that captures the laidback confidence running throughout the track. There’s something refreshing about hearing an artist so comfortable in her own worth, and Erick’s contribution is equally compelling, his unmistakable New York flow providing the perfect counterpoint to JGrrey’s South London bars.
Bel Cobain’s contribution to ‘take my hand’ offers something softer. Her delicate vocals on the chorus are less concerned with packing a punch than creating space to pause, settling into a classic R&B groove. An especially rewarding jazz trumpet solo arrives towards the track’s close, elevating a song that captures the uplifting side of this record while exploring the vulnerability involved in opening up to those closest to us.
Speaking of uplifting, the album’s standout has to be ‘believe’. It begins with the familiar hallmarks of JGrrey’s laidback style: an organic introduction, understated instrumentation and soulful backing vocals that gradually build towards the chorus. Then come the words, “Make me feel, show me love, make me believe”, delivered with euphoric conviction over a bassline that is deeply satisfying. If ‘you me and jen’ is, by and large, a record made for kicking back and letting yourself drift, ‘believe’ is the moment to raise your hands and embrace something closer to gospel.
‘you, me and jen’ beyond doubt that JGrrey knows herself. Perhaps, in that sense, there could hardly be a more fitting title. She opens up emotionally without sacrificing the relaxed confidence of someone who understands her own worth. The sound is predominantly soulful, euphoric at times, and more than capable of standing on business when the moment calls for it. By stripping things back, JGrrey has brought her best qualities into focus, delivering a record that feels unmistakably, unapologetically hers.
8/10