When we hear the term “Acoustic Pop” as a musical genre, we usually imagine a song by artists, like the recent single; "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus from Backyard Sessions, or perhaps any of the live sessions from Tiny Desk. But most of the time, these are rearranged songs, initially created with a different intention in the studio and later adapted to these instruments to create a more intimate atmosphere with the listener.
However, rarely do we come across such organic works that directly transport us to the very essence of acoustic pop. The new single by Livi Jacobs, titled "Should've Known," not only achieves that but also showcases her remarkable authenticity, talent and artistry.
About the Artist:
Livi Jacobs is a talented independent singer and songwriter hailing from the vibrant city
of Punta Gorda, Florida. With a lifelong devotion to music, Livi embarked on her melodic journey at a young age, nurturing an unwavering passion that has only grown over time. Recently, she surprised both herself and her audience with the release of her debut
single, "Goodbye." The song quickly surpassed Livi's expectations, amassing an impressive presence on Spotify and securing over 200 coveted placements in playlists in less than three weeks. Livi's musical prowess has been recognized by renowned publications like Conversations About Her,
while her enchanting melodies have transcended borders, captivating listeners in over 20 countries through the European Indie Music Network.
Join us in the following article, where we will delve into the details of this talented artist's new release.
Track Review
"Should've Known" is a song that impresses us right from the start, as it begins with a captivating guitar strumming that sets the initial rhythm of the song. While the guitar is already a percussive string instrument, the way it is played, along with its notable EQ emphasizing mainly the higher and lower frequencies, gives it a perfect balance.
The song tells the story of a past relationship in which the protagonist invested a lot of time and effort, even feeling like she gave everything for that person without receiving the same dedication in return. Now that person is running away from her and defaming her, even taking on the role of a victim.
At the end of the intro, the incredible voice of Livi joins the song, characterized by her surprising timbre that combines low and intermediate tones. This distinctive characteristic allows Livi to effortlessly navigate through different tonalities when delivering phrases like "I find it funny how you turn things around," even employing falsetto technique, which is simply impressive.
However, it is in the chorus of the song where we are most surprised. This chorus can captivate the listener due to its catchy melody that blends with the rest of the percussion, giving it the necessary strength to become an iconic chorus that could easily be the next radio hit or the soundtrack of a blockbuster film. The backing vocals accompany Livi's main voice, creating impressive harmonies in a third vocal octave higher, which stand out exceptionally well throughout the stereo channel.
It is worth mentioning that the guitar, in addition to its impeccable execution, has a wide dynamic range, especially when the strumming becomes more energetic and continuous as it reaches the chorus of the song. This allows the instrument to adapt to the required level of intensity to transition from one section to another.
One of the most notable phrases in the song is when the protagonist references that the person she's talking about is in Budapest and comments that “it's colder there”, which can be a metaphor to describe the person's cold attitude. "My Friends say you’re in Budapest, I Heard it’s colder there." This shows us the incredible ability of this talented singer to write her lyrics.
In this song, Livi expresses regret for not having known or anticipated what was going to happen in the relationship, as expressed in the central theme of the song, "I should've known, I should've seen it coming." These verses encapsulate the emotional burden and internal reflection of the narrator about their own regret, emphasizing a kind of self-criticism for not foreseeing the negative outcome of the relationship, even reaching a sense of guilt. "Seen it coming" evokes the feeling that there were signs or hints that the narrator failed to recognize, intensifying the heartbreaking sensation.
As we reach the end of the song, we encounter an instrumental section where Livi uses delay and chorus effects on her voice, along with guitar arpeggios, creating an incredible sense of expansiveness. This combination of effects transports us and immerses us in the song, as if we were flowing with it, as if the song itself were the wind that carries us. This undoubtedly provides an amazing ending to the song.
Livi Jacobs' new single, "Should've Known," captures the authentic essence of acoustic pop, even redefining the genre itself. The incredible balance she achieves with her ability to create catchy melodies and introspective lyrics showcases her innate talent, which will ultimately lead her to success in the music industry.
Follow Livi Jacobs On-Line
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LiviJacobsmusic
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/livijacobsmusic