It’s quite possible that in a past life, Jenny Owen Youngs was a sailor – she’s got the mouth to prove it. Never before has the F-word been so melodic. Batten the Hatches, Jenny’s first official full-length release, kicks off wonderfully with “Porchrail”, a fun and powerful tune that really pulls out all the stops. The New Jersey-native is perhaps best known for “Fuck Was I”, a nice little ditty that doesn’t rely on its obvious shock value; honesty – from the songwriter, and strings – by way of Patrick Petty and Bob Pycior, work wonders on this lament for the lovesick.



I think it’s a little later on, however, that we get to see what this lapsitter’s really made of. Jenny mainly sings and mans the acoustic guitar, but she plays bass on “Voice on Tape”, and shows a more country bumpkin side with her banjo on “P.S.”, as well. We hear the cello and violin again on “Bricks”, a beautifully sad song about the pieces that remain when a home becomes broken. The singer could carry the song herself, but I don’t think anyone will argue with the added depth and richness provided by the strings. “Drinking Song” will get your foot stomping again, and every song after that will lyrically give you something equally substantial to chew on.



What an album like this comes down to, is the songwriting, and the voice. And by sharing powerfully belted out insecurities – “Everything I touch turns to shit/Everyone I try to love won’t hear of it” – and breathily whispered confessions – “Trust you with my words like you’re my friend” – with her listeners, Owen Youngs proves Batten the Hatches to be a sparkling declaration of her willingness to pin her big fat heart to her sleeve.



Porchrail

From Here

Fuck Was I

Lightning Rod

Voice On Tape

P.S.

Bricks

Drinking Song

Woodcut

Coyote

Keys Out Lights On

Woodcut (The Age Of Rockets Remix)