Jessica Lea Mayfield's "Our Hearts Are Wrong" Named American Songwriter's Lyric of the Week

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Jessica Lea Mayfield's "Our Hearts Are Wrong," the opening track off her album Tell Me, has been named American Songwriter's Lyric of the Week. Relix, in its review of Tell Me, says Mayfield "twists her country roots into contemporary alternative rock that even folds in bits of hip-hop, psychedelic-soul and electro-pop without ever stretching too far for comfort ... always keeping the focus on Mayfield’s hypnotic, timeless and vulnerable vocals." KDHX in St. Louis calls her recent performance there "stunning ... with a mix of hauntingly gorgeous vocals and feedback-laden guitar wizardry."

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Jessica Lea Mayfield's "Our Hearts Are Wrong," the opening track off her Nonesuch debut album, Tell Me, has been named American Songwriter magazine's Lyric of the Week. For the feature, Mayfield spoke with American Songwriter's Davis Inman about the inspiration behind the song, the circumstances surrounding her writing it, and the words of encouragement from producer Dan Auerbach that led to its inclusion on the record.

"Sometimes I’ll sit down and press record and sing and play something and have no idea what I just said until I press play," Mayfield says. "I keep my emotions locked up pretty tight, so a lot of my songwriting feels like it comes from that place."

Read the interview and the lyrics for the song at americansongwriter.com.

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Relix magazine, in its review of Tell Me, says Mayfield "twists her country roots into contemporary alternative rock that even folds in bits of hip-hop, psychedelic-soul and electro-pop without ever stretching too far for comfort." Reviewer Aaron Kayce continues: "This is a moody album with fractured guitars, drum loops, shadows and shady people. A dry wit and almost reckless display of emotion help balance the affair perfectly by always keeping the focus on Mayfield’s hypnotic, timeless and vulnerable vocals." Read the complete review at relix.com.

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St. Louis independent radio station KDHX, describes Mayfield's performance at that city earlier this month as "stunning." Reviewer Scott Allen explains: "The set mesmerized the Off Broadway audience with a mix of hauntingly gorgeous vocals and feedback-laden guitar wizardry."

Allen goes on to say: "With her beautiful, ethereal voice Mayfield writes songs about desperate lovers on the edge of heartbreaking relationships. Many songs feature the protagonist pining for her lover to return her affections. Her music combines her bluegrass roots with country and rock into a dark, smoldering mix."

Read the complete review at kdhx.org.

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Jessica Lea Mayfield kicks off a week-long tour of Europe at Handelsbeurs in Gent, Belgium, this Friday, and returns to the States for a spring/summer tour that begins with a set at Bonnaroo. For more information, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour. To pick up a copy of Tell Me, head to the Nonesuch Store, where orders include high-quality, 320 kbps of the album at checkout.

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Jessica Lea Mayfield: "Tell Me" [cover]
  • Monday, May 23, 2011
    Jessica Lea Mayfield's "Our Hearts Are Wrong" Named American Songwriter's Lyric of the Week

    Jessica Lea Mayfield's "Our Hearts Are Wrong," the opening track off her Nonesuch debut album, Tell Me, has been named American Songwriter magazine's Lyric of the Week. For the feature, Mayfield spoke with American Songwriter's Davis Inman about the inspiration behind the song, the circumstances surrounding her writing it, and the words of encouragement from producer Dan Auerbach that led to its inclusion on the record.

    "Sometimes I’ll sit down and press record and sing and play something and have no idea what I just said until I press play," Mayfield says. "I keep my emotions locked up pretty tight, so a lot of my songwriting feels like it comes from that place."

    Read the interview and the lyrics for the song at americansongwriter.com.

    ---

    Relix magazine, in its review of Tell Me, says Mayfield "twists her country roots into contemporary alternative rock that even folds in bits of hip-hop, psychedelic-soul and electro-pop without ever stretching too far for comfort." Reviewer Aaron Kayce continues: "This is a moody album with fractured guitars, drum loops, shadows and shady people. A dry wit and almost reckless display of emotion help balance the affair perfectly by always keeping the focus on Mayfield’s hypnotic, timeless and vulnerable vocals." Read the complete review at relix.com.

    ---

    St. Louis independent radio station KDHX, describes Mayfield's performance at that city earlier this month as "stunning." Reviewer Scott Allen explains: "The set mesmerized the Off Broadway audience with a mix of hauntingly gorgeous vocals and feedback-laden guitar wizardry."

    Allen goes on to say: "With her beautiful, ethereal voice Mayfield writes songs about desperate lovers on the edge of heartbreaking relationships. Many songs feature the protagonist pining for her lover to return her affections. Her music combines her bluegrass roots with country and rock into a dark, smoldering mix."

    Read the complete review at kdhx.org.

    ---

    Jessica Lea Mayfield kicks off a week-long tour of Europe at Handelsbeurs in Gent, Belgium, this Friday, and returns to the States for a spring/summer tour that begins with a set at Bonnaroo. For more information, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour. To pick up a copy of Tell Me, head to the Nonesuch Store, where orders include high-quality, 320 kbps of the album at checkout.

    Journal Articles:Artist NewsReviews

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