An acoustic folk piece, “Fried Rice” is as airy and laid-back as a song’s title can get, thanks to Jeán et Joie. The lyric of this track is the reminiscence of loneliness, intimacy and temporary relationships presented between an individual and the environment. Not overly complex they continue the process with lyrics that speak to feelings and experiences common to anyone, leaving one feeling understood in the quietness.
I continue to emphasize that the music itself is humble yet delightful. Using an acoustic guitar form the start, the song develops with very light rhythm which creates very much reflective style of the song. The vocals are sweet, almost dreamy, and float above the nuanced melodies and gentle touch of the music. As the seasons gradually change, so does this track and it creates one of the most viable, credible feeling of atmosphere while relying on the sheer emotion of the piece.
Based on poetic imagery elements, Grey Jeán ‘s song is very good at telling a story, which is both specific to the individual and representative of a generation. Composed when the moon is rising, the song is lyrical ballad which sets the tone of the rumination which is evident throughout the piece. Keith Jones who mixed this in Dolby Atmos works with Lew Laing as the producer and this forms a solid production base that fleshes the already magnificent track with an extra dimension that makes it even richer, the extra dimension in this sense being an extra dimension of depth and intimacy given by the production of the track.
Taking their cues from the earlier folk sirens Jeán et Joie have come up with piece that has all the ring of the folksy yet totally and utterly contemporary. It’s not overly refined; it’s more real, and love, loss and hope are conveyed on that raw, touching note. Fried Rice’ is a detailed form of how one can bring a little peace in a otherwise noisy world.
