Daytrotter a Day #4: Jetta

Most Daytrotter Sessions are recorded at the Horseshack in Rock Island, Illinois, but today's session comes to us from across the pond.  Sign up for Daytrotter now, so you can follow along on this month-long trip.

Daytrotter Session #4: Jetta (Released 04.04.13)

Previously a backup singer for Cee Lo Green and Paloma Faith, Jetta has the voice to step into the spotlight.  Unfortunately, she doesn't have the lyrics.  When she first opens her mouth on "Start a Riot," you might ask yourself, "When did Adele record with this post-punk revival band?"  The percussive handclaps of "Can You Hear Me" instantly reminded me of "Rolling in the Deep."  But once you get a grasp on the words, it becomes clear this isn't the Grammy-winning phenom.  Jetta's lyrics, like her voice, are all about power, but they don't seem have any power behind them.  The theme of her songs is that a relationship can go awry, and Jetta and her partner (be he love interest or her father) should be able to work through it, but even if they don't, she's strong enough on her own.  "Operators" starts off interestingly enough, but quickly shifts into the kind of song that would accompany a training montage in an '80s sports movie about ugly cheerleaders competing against the popular squad.  And no one wants to see that.