From Birmingham, Alabama, Jahnah (pronounced Hannah) Camille’s songs capture the rollercoaster of teenage angst, heartbreak and introspection over a well-made bed of driving guitars and catchy, compact melodies. A five-track EP infused with anxiety and grit, ‘i tried to freeze light, but only remember a girl,’ is a shining introductory project smoothed over by Camille’s sugar-sweet voice and cutting lyricism.
Much of the EP’s songs were written and recorded while Camille was still in high school, taking trips back and forth from Atlanta to record. In the time following, Camille dug into the local DIY scene, steadily gaining an impressive resume of opening slots as she cut her teeth supporting acts like Clairo, Soccer Mommy, Cryogeyser and Wednesday as they came through town.
Now 19 years old, Camille delivers an excellent snapshot of those uncertain and wildly hopeful late teen years. ‘i tried to freeze light’ captures Camille approaching heartbreak and self-perception from a variety of angles–each track playing slightly with genre and cadence and infused with influence from her musical heroes, like Liz Phair and Fiona Apple.
The EP pulls at a range of alternative rock and pop threads, there’s the 90s alternative rock opener “flesh” and the countryy-gaze-tinged “roadkill.” Camille then softens on the swooning synth-layered ode to love lost, “elliot,” before relaxing into a folksy, acoustic “paper doll.”I wanna talk and not spill out carnival sounds” Camille confides on closer “carnival sounds”–a track that illuminates the singer’s art-pop influences and knack for revealing tender and at times searing admissions through her lyricism.
While misunderstandings color the emotional sentiment of the EP, Camille’s artistry and expression come through clear as day on i tried to freeze light, presenting her as a promising young voice with real talent and a hunger for musical experimentation. Released June 21, 2024.
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Sacramento’s K-ZAP 93.3 FM plays Jahnah Camille–All part of 50 years of Rock, Blues and More, 24-7 on our station’s stream at K-ZAP.ORG/LISTEN/
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