REVIEW: Phoebe Jean & The Air Force’s “Heartbreakers”

Before I wrote this, one review called Heartbreakers (Lentonia) new-age pop, and I thought “really?” Phoebe Jean’s vocals are sometimes thick with that ethereal echo and reverb that makes people think the perceived distance in her way of singing is meant to be more meaningful. Fortunately in this case it is, as her lyrics are very haunting at times. Other times, her music sounds like it comes from the traditions of 80′s pop and soul, as the opening track, “King Size Bed”, has a beat that sounds like what would happen if Prince’s “Raspberry Beret” and Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” had babies. Add to that the sound of keyboards that sounds like a Fender Rhodes, and Jean could be trying to make Steely Dan sound funkier, and she’s not just throwing around different influences and effects just to make herself sound cool.

The album is credited to Phoebe Jean and the Air Force, and the Air Force in this case is Jean herself, she plays everything on it. I would define her as a storyteller, one that likes to do it in styles of music that go everywhere form NYC-based disco to club tracks with a passion for beats that sound influenced by some of the classic breakbeats. She could easily be someone associated with Lady Gaga, Pink, and M.I.A. but I think Jean has found a place in her apartment or bungalow and is telling everyone “hey, I love to sing and groove, and I love to get down with this.” New age? Not quite. Youthful and vibrant? Hell yeah.