First, I will say this. What kind of annoys me about the Australia music scene is that NO ONE has ever mentioned this Melbourne gem to me until now. I could have been listening Sir Jude for two years, but alas, I have just been introduced to this luscious and emotionally driven artist and I cannot thank the Universe enough for putting her music on my radar. Now that’s off my chest, let’s focus on the wonder that is Sir Jude.
Hailing from Melbourne, Sir Jude is releasing her debut album, Revelations, on November 18th. Revelations follows her 2020 EP, Dreamlands.
Sir Jude says this of her debut album, Revelations,
I want this album to be the soundtrack to anyone who is at a standstill in their life and is desperate to challenge or break the emotional barriers that tradition and society corners them into.
And Sir Jude definitely and defiantly breaks any barriers that have been shackled to her. Revelations is a beautiful in-depth exploration of misogyny, self discovery, and what it means to be a woman in today’s society.
Sir Jude‘s vocal style while reminiscence to Lady Gaga is softer in sound than the Mother Monster. Sir Jude vocally dances between an ethereal fairy and a frustrated and pissed off modern day woman.
Opening the album is the title track, “Revelations“, and it is how autotune should be used. It accents the emotions of her vocals and creates a depth and adds to the power of Sir Jude‘s voice.
Written during isolation and exploring femininity and lust, “Freakshow” is an infectious beat driven track. What I enjoy the most about this track is that it is simple. Nothing too flashy or obnoxious. The music allows the lyrics to shine. The song is fun musically and lyrically, the chorus is sultry, hot, and dirty.
Delicate is how I would describe “Secret Safe”. Sir Jude sings of empowerment with a soft ethereal voice while calling out toxic masculinity. This is one of the songs that showcases the aforementioned dance ethereal fairy and frustrated pissed off modern day woman. The songs brings visions of a toxic male falling into a hug or comfortable spot he thinks is safe before being devoured by an empowered woman.
Working with Maxim of The Prodigy for “Preach”, Sir Jude says this of working with Maxim and the track,
It was so brilliant working with Maxim. The Prodigy was incredibly influential to me. I remember my dad showing me Firestarter as a kid and being completely blown away. They pioneered that sound. As for the song, weeks before I had recorded a sample of my windscreen wipers on a really rainy night. The cadence was so interesting and I was completely drawn to the bouncy rhythm and the aggressive tones. Maxim was intrigued by its dark energy and we both agreed for the song to be tonally cutthroat, ethereal and aggressive with a message on self-love and independence.
The track is probably my favourite from album. I feel that it showcases all of Sir Jude‘s talents. The song is lyrically wonderful and filled with both heartbreak and hope, and it allows one to hear the range of her vocals from ethereal to belting out a note that grabs one by the throat. It’s a powerful song that is just fucking wonderful.
Of the track, “Madonna”, which explores the dichotomy of the Madonna and whore, Sir Jude says this of the themes of the song and album,
Throughout my life I’ve struggled with internalised misogyny and to some extent, Catholic guilt. Revelations was a way for me to challenge those standards, and dissect how those parts of my life make me the person I am. With that, comes this fear or challenge to stay connected to who the person I was. I found myself on this journey through selfhood and acceptance, but I know that it is a constant and evolving journey; it’s a process that I’ll always circle back to mend.
The song is an absolute powerhouse jam and is vogue dance-off worthy in any ballroom scene. There is a simple but infectious beat that hooks the ear and implants itself as an ear worm but what I adore the most is the bass in the song. It’s disco seventies funk dirty and gives me absolute life.
If you look at the title of “MAMMA” and think, this song is about a mother or a mother and daughter relationship, you could be disappointed. Sung to the one who may have guided one into the world, the song is a ballad about heartbreak and heartache. The piano and strings, literally and figuratively pull the emotional strings, and compliment the strength in Sir Jude‘s vocal heartache. The power in Sir Jude‘s voice for this song rivals that of Mother Monster. It’s stunning and beautiful.
Of “A Message from Rosa”, Sir Jude says this about the conversation on the significance of being a woman between grandmother and granddaughter,
It’s a small snapshot into understanding the deeply rooted values presented to her through her youth and thereafter.
As the album winds down, “Twenty Four Seven” the last song and “Fine” the outro to the album, convey pressures to find love in others and that the story of what love is, what heartbreak is, are both are ever evolving stories. One could even consider “Fine”, the cliffhanger to Sir Jude‘s Revelation story…
I can only speculate what Sir Jude‘s follow up album could be, but it is sure to be an album I dive into head first, as her debut album, Revelations, is a beautiful insight into the heart of being a modern woman. It explores all the ups and the downs that comes with being a woman who might not know themselves but learns about themselves through living a life no matter how good or bad said life is. A woman can only gain their strength and their power through learning about what it is they do not want or will not put up with. Revelations is Sir Jude acknowledging those lessons and stepping into her power and her strength. I am here for it and I am here to support her.
Revelations is out on November 18th. Presave it now at https://presave.to/mSIRJUDDB3
Watch the visual for Revelations
Watch the video for Freakshow
Watch the visual for Madonna
Watch the video for MAMMA
Listen to Preach
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