Mo' Jo

Jo Bartlett has a new single and video, Before The Police Car, out today.

If you've been following this blog for a while, you may recall that I included a Hardway Bros remix of Jo's song Camden in my 2023 end of year sum up. Here's the equally pleasing original version, from second album The Cut Up.
 

In February this year, I got all fired up by Jo's single Drawing A Line (ghost tape no.2), released in advance of her third album. It was at that point that I started joining the dots to her musical history and connection to It's Jo And Danny, many moons previously.

 

April 2024 saw the release of Ghost Tapes 1 To 9 which, after a few listens, I was already describing as a highlight of the year, mainly down to the consistently engaging sound and feel of the songs. This song partly inspired the blog post title but wasn't actually previewed at the time.

Ghost Tapes 1 To 9 hasn't been far away from my playlist since and I can say that, in spite of some truly great records that have followed this year, it's remained a much loved and much played album.

So what of Before The Police Car, which Jo herself describes "just sort of happened"?

The song comes in with some choral synths, before Jo describes a FaceTime call in the middle of the night, bass and shakers coming in before the first key change and a lovely guitar line adds to proceedings.

I think I've referred to the appeal of Jo's layering of sound and the juxtaposition of contemporary narratives and soundscapes that simultaneously evoke musical history. Elements of Before The Police Car spike memories of songs from the 1980s by The Passions and Lloyd Cole & The Commotions, whilst remaining wholly Jo's own. 

At the three minute mark, the song breaks into a repeating refrain of "It turned out alright" before a lyrical shift and fade out at the end. It turned out more than alright, I think.

 

Jo has said that "From writing, to recording to release [was] just under three weeks" and there is a lot to be said for the immediacy and impact that approach can bring to a song. 

 

Whilst a song can develop and grow and becomes something far beyond the original concept, there's also a strong argument for knowing when to stop and let it out there. This has been a major part of Ghost Tapes 1 To 9's appeal for me and Before The Police Car similarly so.

 

If Before The Police Car is your introduction to Jo Bartlett's music, then dive back into her Bandcamp and Indie Through The Looking Glass pages and you're in for a treat.