KATIE BROWN - 5 OCT 2021

“I know I still exist in the stories you tell your friends”

If ever the expansive span of heartbreak emotion was captured in one song in its full conflicted glory, “Ache”, released 24th September by Christchurch-based alternative/R&B artist Jaz Paterson, would be that song. Following on from “Lonely”, released in August, the track is the second in a trio of singles forming her second EP ACHE, a title that aptly encapsulates the variety of emotion the EP addresses. Inspired by the likes of Tove Lo, Banks, James Blake and Bon Iver, the rising artist has recently seen success performing at the likes of the 2021 Christchurch City Council Edge New Year’s Show, and has an upcoming collaboration with MC Tali slated for release shortly.

Home-schooled until she was 15, Jaz grew up in Geraldine with a love for music, constantly writing songs and playing guitar (which she picked up at 11, inspired by seeing the inimitable Aldous Harding performing live), and released her first EP at just 17, after many an hour spent busking, performing at talent shows and gigging whenever she could. 2019 saw her discover Christchurch’s SOLE Music Academy (an institution founded by neo-soul artist Sacha Vee, in order to help new artists find their way in the music industry), ultimately leading to her being invited onto their Artist Development Programme, as part of which she was teamed up with talented producer Will McGillivray (Nomad), who worked collaboratively with her on the ACHE EP.

Drifting in on music box-like keys with wistful vocals hovering between dry immediacy and reverbed nostalgia, the “Ache” single is a poignant snapshot of the breadth of emotion held in a breakup. Inspired by the dissolution of a relationship that was on the cusp of marriage, the track plays out like a tango of duelling emotions - a push and pull of wistful nostalgia contrasted with lashings of why-did-you-do-it anger, tempered by a sense of liberty. Within it, the pairing of Will with Jaz is a musical match that really works. Will’s production is a sensitive interpretation of the material “Ache” addresses, where each production decision comes across as having been made intrinsically in support of the meaning of the song, without overwhelming it. It’s this that really allows Jaz to shine as both a vocalist and a convincing storyteller: nothing feels forced, and the play between a fragile sensitivity and fiery strength is truly compelling.

The contrasting of a dry vocal with the moments where reverb drifts in to add an eeriness to them is especially clever - it adds a sense of the present moment in time being held up against nostalgic memories, and is mesmerising. Wistful, reflective moments are minimal and stripped back, with Jaz’s layered harmonies backed by very little at times, and these moments morph into heavier, driving rhythms with weighty depth that translate like a proverbial fist shaken in the face. Contributing to this sense is a solid, bass-laden kick, which acts as both a contrast and a grounding foil to Jaz’s delicate vocals.

Both in production and execution, all of these factors combine to become a meaningful expression of what heartbreak experiences are like, and how many different facets the emotions tangled up in them can have. The overruling sense of “Ache” is one of honesty - and an honesty with a fragile vulnerability that is held together by a hidden backbone of quiet strength.

Listen to “Ache” below, and keep an eye out for “LA”, the final track of the trio, soon to be released.

Check out SOLE Music Academy here.

Find Jaz on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube