JBell – Life (Single Review)

Today’s review features the new single Life by JBell, an alternative artist. JBell describes himself as “I’ve been making music on and off since I was a teenager, been through a lot of drama and lost people along the way. I currently live in my vehicle, trying to get out West and grow as a person.”

Having been homeless for a year, living out of my car, I can empathize. Particularly resonating is the desire, from those circumstances, to create some truly legendary music to dig myself out of the homelessness hole.

So let’s have a listen …

The song starts off with an acoustic guitar strumming mirrored by a single-note electric lead guitar. JBell has a very nice, breathy vocal style. I’m enjoying the song, nice arrangement. Very mellow so far. Then, BANG!, at the 1:30 mark, the song explodes with a full electric rock band, powerful vocals, and a killer lead guitar solo.

Then, just as soon as it appears, the band goes away, and the song fades back into the acoustic guitar, vocals, and lead guitar mirroring the chord progression. Ending with the vocal line “my hometown, they try and knock me down.” Truly excellent production!

SCORE/Outstanding: This epic song deserves some radio airplay. Truly excellent production and song arrangement/design. JBell delivers a powerful and breathy vocal performance. The song starts mellow, then delivers a powerful full-band explosion about halfway through. The musical performances on this new single, Life, deserve your love and your ears! And your friends’ ears! Much love, Beth

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]