Jessica Lea Mayfield isn't the type of young singer-songwriter who's wise beyond her years; if anything, her songs show just how young she is. Her lyrics speak to the hardships of a young girl trying to understand the rapturous feeling of falling in love and the heartbreak of breaking up. But unlike the songs of the same subject churned out on pop radio, Mayfield's words come off as heartfelt and honest and not the least bit contrived—thanks in large part to the supervision Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys provided when producing her full-length debut, With Blasphemy So Heartfelt.
Songs like "Kiss Me Again" are a perfect example of how her writing captures a particularly reluctant, apathetic girl who wants to be in love, but won't commit to it because everything she ever loves seems to leave or fall apart. Such subject matter could've gone into syrupy melodrama with another singer, but Mayfield's voice gives it the feeling of authenticity.
If you head to this show, give her a hug and tell her everything will be all right. Because, with her talent, it sure looks like it will be.
