Recommended Tracks: “The Bricks That Make the Building,” “Built to Collide,” “By Morning”
Artists You Might Like: Karen Carpenter, Feist, Ormella
If today was your last day, how would you feel? Afraid? Proud? Death is something that holds a different meaning for everyone, and this meaning influences how we live our lives. Do we want to live in fear of this fateful day and miss out on opportunities? Do we want to embrace life as it comes and enjoy each moment? There’s much to ponder, and if you are looking for more insight, you can turn to Tessa Rose Jackson. The Dutch-British singer-songwriter is trading out her decade-old moniker, Someone, for her own identity on her new album The Lighthouse. Here, she reflects on death and uses it as a way to honor and celebrate life.
One part of life is identity, which Tessa describes throughout the album. On “Lighthouse,” for instance, she touches on the relief and clarity that comes from finding that special something that will always ground her. Over the twangy strings and lilting melodies, she sings, “The lighthouse sings for me / Oh, sings for me / Guess this must be the place.” There’s also “The Man Who Wasn’t There,” a dark folk track about letting go. The main line in the song is, “I’m not carrying that again,” which is echoed by muddied voices and strings each time Tessa sings those words. It’s not easy to let go, and on “Grace Notes,” she reckons with who she is and accepts where she is in life. There is an optimistic feel to the track, through the acoustic guitar and light piano work, and this makes us believe that she will find her way. When we get to “Prizefighter,” this belief is confirmed. While she mentions that her thick skin is not as durable as it once was, she holds onto the notion of, “Make the change / Be your own prizefighter.” In the end, you have to try.
Another aspect of life is the memories we preserve—both from ourselves and from our families or friends. On “The Bricks That Make the Building” and “Dawn,” Tessa weaves images of home life in between messages of family and resilience. There’s a contemplative element to these tracks, especially on “The Bricks That Make the Building, where she sings, “The old swing clock in the hall / Has got me thinking about / The bricks that make the building / And the earth that feeds the garden.” The vibe shifts on “Built to Collide,” as Tessa paints a harsher picture. The forward-moving melodies and rhythms add a frenzy to the track that emphasizes the collision referenced in the title. To the sound of guitar and strings, she sings, “I heard you hit a brick wall / And then you played dead / Scared to death of dying / So you faked it instead.” She highlights the importance of confronting the inevitable, even if it is painful. On “Wild Geese,” she demonstrates this concept, confronting memories of her late mother. Guided by elaborate string work, she sings, “Take me back again to your room / I want to revel in memories.” After letting down her guard, she concludes that the future and the past are entwined; in order to step into the future, you need to make peace with the past.
As we go about our lives—embracing who we are and basking in memories—we can’t avoid the heaviness of fear. It isn’t the most pleasant topic, and it’s not a permanent sensation, but it can shape our outlook on life. With “Gently Now,” Tessa focuses on aging and grief. There are times when grief can strike you, like when you lurch toward a difficult anniversary, and it can be a struggle to accept. Still, there is meaning to grief, which Tessa shares in lines like, “I know you always said you hate this time of year / But it’s all part of it.” Its twinkly and dreamy elements allude to the universe, as if all things are meant to be. She takes this idea with her on “When Your Time Comes,” which dabbles in final moments. At some point, we all imagine how it ends and where we go when it does end, including Tessa. When we hear her ask these dark questions, she shows that there it is natural to wonder, and we do not have to wonder alone.
If anything, fear and darkness and tough times should not be seen as inhibiting. She shares, “This black hole will swallow us whole if you let it” on “Fear Bangs the Drum,” insisting that fear shouldn’t stop you from doing what you want. Of course, emotions are temporary, so if you feel fear today, it could be gone tomorrow. Tessa admits as much on “By Morning,” a warm and blissful song that reminds us to lean into our feelings, even if they change from day to day. We can be forgiving, upset, confused—what have you—but if you just stay open, that alone can take you far.
Overall, The Lighthouse may bring intrigue to those who simply glance at the title. How could such a structure symbolize an entire album? Still, if you think about lighthouses, there is much history, truth, and meaning behind them, much like the songs on the album. From track to track, Tessa gets into the parts of life that should be acknowledged and celebrated. She also connects them to death and loss, showing how life and loss can influence one another. All in all, Tessa’s words are poetic, the music is rich and moody, and there is a nostalgic quality to her sound that makes The Lighthouse a true light in the dark.
You can listen to The Lighthouse here.
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