The #TEAMw21 radar is always on searching for the stars of tomorrow and today it is Canadian Amanda Jordan who is in our sights. Initially alerted by her latest single "You Don't Wanna Know", it set off a bit of a delve into her back catalogue.
The new single "You Don't Wanna Know" is striking for a number of reasons. First of all that cover with Amanda looking positively bereft next to a large teacup shaped bath full of water. It sets the scene perfectly before you have even heard a note. A sole solemn piano intro also prepares us that Amanda is going to unburden herself of matters of great import.
Amanda's vocal when it arrives is sad, wistful almost dreamy - it's a bit unclear what advice is being given to and to whom.
It's only as the verse completes then like a camera panning back we realise this is a message to her ex's current girlfriend. This is no bitter settling of scores song though, it is one of love and loss.
"If you ever have doubts then don't
Think something better's gonna come along - it won't
He'll drive you crazy cos he can
You won't stay mad because you can't"
The chorus is an absolute tribute to him as Amanda relives precious moments from the past, it is the final couple of lines that tie everything together.
"But that ain't what it feels like to let him go
Take it from me - You don't wanna know"
The second verse prompts the arrival of a subtle minimalist guitar and mandolin - lyrically it outlines the gap that losing the love of this man leaves
"If you wonder what lonely looks like?
If you want to wear a scar that you can't hide
Assure your heart it still breaks
Cos he's the kind of memory that doesn't fade away"
The second chorus sees the development of the overall sound with the arrival of percussion.
It all make for a unique twist on the break up song.
An earlier single from this year "I Choose You" (hopefully not about the same person in "You Don't Wanna Know" ) finds Amanda in a totally different place. The cover for this one shows her staring out intently, with her chin gently resting on her fingers the words "I Choose You" emblazoned above her.
Musically it may start the same with a piano intro but this one is full of joyful expectation, the words of the third line with its three syllable words almost tumbling out, in the sweetest of tones.
"If you'd told me yesterday
That I'd be looking at my tomorrow
This beautiful, wonderful, magical time
Trying to find the words to tell you, ooh"
It all leads to an uplifting chorus with strings confirming Amanda's selection of a partner for life.
"That I do choose you for better, forever in love
From now on, this moment is more than enough
Until my days are through
I choose you"
This really is a heartfelt single
"If you'd told me I'd be yours
And that you'd pick my heart out of a hundred million
It's beautiful, wonderful knowing' you're not alone anymore
You'll never be alone anymore"
There is even one final little cutesy set of lines
"Boy, I love you just the way you are
Only thing you need to change is
My last name!"
Naturally Amanda got asked to perform this on the TV series The Bachelor.!
If you prefer percussion and guitars there's an alternate "Reimagined" version to dig into.
If all this happiness is too much you can always dig further back for another slice of melancholy - with Amanda in a situation, unable to move on.
Hey how you doing? - How's your mom?
Did you ever make it out to Phoenix?
Did you take that job?
Heard you got married - About a year ago
Sorry I'm asking - I don't really wanna know"
It leads to a chorus that is heartbreaking as there is no happy answer that is going to be forthcoming.
What else is new? cause for me I'm stuck in the past And I can't move
Can't get us down the road and out of my rear view Same old, trying to get over you - but what else is new?"
The second verse perfectly captures the internal struggle going on - trying to work out a way in which she can still coexist while all the time knowing that this can never really happen.
"I want to think for a minute
We can still be friends
Want to keep on catching up
Like the night won't end
I want to tell you I miss you
How it hurts like hell
But I can't
So I'll just keep it to myself"
Happy or sad - take your preference - this is just an entry point into the catalogue of Amanda Jordan - Go explore!!