She can’t escape her musical past. Whenever Jaël releases a new solo album, a not insignificant portion of the public hope for a return to her musical roots – something reminiscent of the trip-hop created by Jaël’s successful band Lunik in its early days.
Lunik split up ten years ago. The band’s former lead singer, who was born in Berne, has now released her third album under her own name. It’s called “Midlife” and – as the title suggests – is about the life of a 43-year-old woman going through middle age. There is no hint of crisis in this album: the mother of two is content with her lot. She is married, has a good family life and is at peace with herself. In fact, she is doing much better than in her mid-thirties, as she has said in recent interviews. The depression and panic attacks of yesteryear have been brought under control.
The tone of “Midlife” is thus positive and relaxed. It’s about holding on and letting go and much more besides. In “She Only Sings When She’s Drunk”, Jaël addresses alcohol abuse, and “Paralyzed” is about a sexual assault that she herself suffered. In “Only Human”, she sings again about being a mother: mothers shouldn’t be too hard on themselves. After all, they are only human.
Jaël’s voice remains as crystal-clear and high as ever, although it has a more mature edge to it now. The fragile song “Midlife” has a strong piano and acoustic guitar component, but its light, warm production is rich in depth and range.
No, “Midlife” does not sound like Lunik – despite “To Miss You”, a song Jaël wrote with her former fellow band member Luk Zimmermann and immortalised by including it on the album. And that’s alright. “Midlife” is a standalone, chilled, harmonious and mature pop album all rolled together. “IiTii” is the only exception: it’s about how the singer sometimes feels like an extraterrestrial in this world. “IiTii” is also Jaël’s first song in her local dialect to appear on a regular album. Moreover, “Midlife” comes in two parts. The studio production with 11 new songs is followed by live recordings from the last acoustic tour. Whether that really adds something is a matter of taste.
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