Released: March 24, 2023
Links
Jamiliee's Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0KIS0GRqPrd4OuZ3RfoBpc?si=jZGfMjcRTLusjcraEDQF9w
Jamiliee's Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.amiliee?_t=8dnlKfjVXh4&_r=1
TL;DR: This exceptional song is a good reminder of how many talented independent musicians fly under the radar.
It's been a while since I've posted a review, but I'm glad I was able to discover such a worthy candidate to review in the meantime.
Jamiliee, per her Spotify, is a singer-songwriter from Houston. Based on her Instagram bio, it appears that she attends the ultra-prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. She's certainly put that musical education to good use: "Ghost" is an outstanding song and already appears to be one of the frontrunners for my Song of the Year award.
The production opens with moody, atmospheric piano. This is the instrument that carries the entire track, although a lovely string section supports it around the choruses. There isn't much percussion to speak of except on the second verse, where a well-timed beat drop adds richness and variety. These relatively limited elements combine to form a slightly ominous yet generally positive atmosphere. Given the empowering nature of the lyrics (more on that later), I couldn't be more impressed with the choices of the producer(s). It's rare in any genre of popular music for a song to use common instruments to create such a fresh sound.
Jamiliee's vocals on this track deserve an entire article. However, to keep it brief, I haven't had the privilege of listening to a performance with this much technical skill in a very long time. Her range is incredible, from the lower vocals on the verses to the soaring, breathless heights at the end of the song. A song like "Ghost" also requires incredible control to make it through the changes in pitch and pace of the lyrics. Jamiliee almost makes it seem straightforward, breezing through the most challenging parts of the song. Her vocal tone is very pleasant to listen to, and perhaps most importantly, she's an emotive singer without even trying. I've often noted the importance of both technical skill and charisma. Jamiliee has both in abundance.
Then there's the songwriting. Mysterious at times, defiant and proud at others, the narrator addresses the song to someone in their life who previously manipulated and controlled them. Not only are they out of that situation, they've gone a significant way down the road of healing. There are some really clever turns of phrase here: my favorites come in the lines "I'm not who you think I used to be" and "you victimize every line in your apology." It's easy to write an empowerment anthem. Far more challenging is to write one that feels fresh, personal, yet somehow still relatable, as Jamiliee does here. It seems this song could be directed to any manipulative figure in someone's life.
I could apply more adjectives to describe how I feel about "Ghost." However, I think it's better if I simply advise you to go listen to it.
Score: 9/10 (amazing debut single)