Jordan Klassen - Tell Me What To Do

Over a decade since his debut album, 2009's Tempest and Winter, Vancouver's neo-folk songsmith Jordan Klassen follows up the near faultless 2017 record Big Intruder with the observational ponderings of Tell Me What To Do. Having crafted a distinctive sound over the course of his recording career, he has already stated that the record is a perfect accompaniment to its predecessor, both sonically and thematically. Having explored growing up on Big Intruder, Tell Me What To Do takes on the theme of finding a home. With such a universal theme, and one many have struggled with during the current pandemic, can Tell Me What To Do shine as brightly as Big Intruder?



Given that the theme at the core of Tell Me What To Do is so emotionally turbulent with the lyrical content, the album itself is a surprising haven of the cool and calm. While his Surfjan Stevens' style whispered vocal gives a strong sense of composure, the apparently unsettled lyrical content provides a rather mesmeric contrast.

While the overall sound is simple, as the album grows with each listen, a new layer is uncovered within its composition. At first listen this is a blissful moment in his life, while the actual depth of his struggle is unraveled as the layers reveal themselves. Extremely cleverly constructed and wonderfully multi-faceted, Tell Me What To Do is the listen you wish it to be at the time you approach it.

While his core neo-folk sound is the through-line, there are elements of pop and synth that add new dimensions and textures. As a record it plays on repeat effortlessly, and while some moments grab your attention more forcefully than others, it is an album that works best as a body whole.

That being said, the absolutely stunning I Want To Move Into Your House is a perfect single and needs to dominate the radio waves this summer. A perfect sing along, it is easily the finest song Jordan has released to date.