Raised singing in church, Jennifer Lang’s introduction to music and performing started at eight-years-old. A member of her church and high school choir, Lang’s sophomore release, 3 O’Clock Saturday, is a stellar album of heartfelt and soulful music. It is no question that music is her passion.
“What excites me most about music is simple: The sound…music is in the ocean. It’s in your heart beat. It’s in your spirit. Even a guy who can’t carry a tune in a bucket is moved by music,” Lang said.
While comparisons to Jennifer Hudson abound, Lang proves her continued versatility. Whether it’s tracks about heart wrenching relationships such as “I Don’t Understand” or gospel filled album closer, “I Don’t Know When It’s Coming,” Lang keeps the listener intrigued.
3 O’Clock Saturday begins quickly with intro, “Jenny’s Groove.” An upbeat track with electric beats and soulful vocals, “Jenny’s Groove” is one of the more lively tracks on the album. Segueing into the optimistic “Fairy Tales,” Lang introduces romance to the listener before her world seemingly crashes.
Throughout the 14-track album, Lang takes the listener on a journey. From the fantasy of “Fairy Tales” and “You’re All I Ever Wanted” to the heartbreak of “I Don’t Understand” and “You Said,” describing an unfaithful lover, the listener witnesses the ups and downs of a relationship.
A solid release, at times the musical accompaniment overpowers Lang’s soulful vocals, “Hi” is one example. The interludes are distracting from Lang’s vocals on this track. Unfortunately for listeners, her sultry singing is masked over the beat of the music.
On “Take Me There,” a slow drum beat is heard in the distance while Lang sings, “I want to go to that place in your heart/Where nothing can tear us apart/You’re the love story that I dream/That was written just for me.” Mid-song she continues, “Every time I see your face/Every time I feel your embrace/There is something I can’t deny/The butterflies they don’t lie”
“Ya Keep Sayin’” switches things up from the R&B feel of previous tracks on 3 O’Clock Saturday. With obvious jazz influence, the song showcases Lang’s talented vocals with a light tap of cymbals, horn features and continuous percussion beats. Just over two minutes, the track is long enough to make an impact without leaving the listener wondering.
Emotional “I Don’t Understand” is a tale of saying goodbye to one who does you wrong. “You cheated on me,” Lang sings with passion. Portraying appropriate angst and confusion with the horn feature and bass beat throughout track, she continues, “I don’t understand that you lie/Sure don’t understand why I cry/I don’t understand saying goodbyes/’Cause this is the last time”
“You Said” continues the wrath of “I Don’t Understand.” An edgy track with a heavy percussion Lang sings, “You said you’d always love me/You said you’d always care/You said you’d always love me/But now you’re not there.”
A slower ballad, “Falling In Love” switches gears once again. The anger is gone and it’s time for the woman in the story to get over a relationship’s end. “I know that it’s going to take some time/To get you out of my mind/But I’ll be strong and I’ll go on/Somehow I will learn from this.”
On “Betcha Thought,” Lang’s voice blends well with the musical accompaniment, so well if fact, the listener forget she’s even signing. “Hey Love” is a soulful R&B infused track that complement’s Lang’s vocals well as the music takes a backseat to her singing. Finally a song with a happier ending than previous tracks, the album starts to come full circle. Ending with gospel track “I Don’t Know When It’s Coming,” it is refreshing to hear spoken word interwoven within the song.
With her angelic and soulful vocals, Jennifer Lang is well on her way. While at times the music overpowers her vocals, 3 O’Clock Saturday is an album that begs to be listened to on repeat. Whether she’s lamenting failed relationships or singing gospel tracks, Lang gets her emotion across. I’d be interested to listen to her sing sans musical accompaniment.
Reviewed By Annie Reuter
