Written By Noelle Alarcon
Hailing from Cebu, pop singer-songwriter Jolianne first gained popularity from being a contestant on the televised singing competition “The Voice Kids,” one of the biggest Philippine shows of the 2010s. That particular decade was plastered with 3D princess movies on screens, smooth yet solemn R&B records from female soloists like Beyoncé and Mariah Carey on the radio. Though that era is long gone, she maintains the whimsy and wonder of growing up in such a time by memorializing its sparkle in her debut release, ‘Plain Girl.’
Jolianne herself brands the EP’s genre as “Disney R&B,” and there couldn’t be a more accurate description for her body of work–her vocals are light, flittering across the soundscape like a cold breeze. The enchanting allure of her voice is the pièce de résistance of the record–she delivers matters of the heart sincerely. The instrumentals help submerge you into her world, may it be through the hypnotizing trance set by the hi-hat that whispers in the background or the soft strumming of the acoustic guitar that paints the atmosphere with utmost confidentiality.
‘Plain Girl’ is one of the records that prove “less is more.” The way the instruments shine a spotlight on her voice, yet never overpower it, plays a major role in making the release sonically cohesive. This craft is mastered in the debut’s standout tunes: its titular track and “I’ll Be Somebody You Want,” which both accurately describe the highs and lows of figuring out young love. With lines like “I never cared you were a star, ‘cause I see you for who you are,” the soloist is honest and straight to the point, vocalizing truths so universal they might as well be the same words you’ve written in your diary.
Truly, ‘Plain Girl’ is anything but plain. It tugs at your heartstrings and flashes your childhood right before your very eyes with its candid delicateness. It pays homage without compromising originality and creativity, leveling out its sugary sweetness with the rawness of reality. With this well-balanced, carefully curated introduction to Jolianne’s world, it’s exciting to see where she’ll take us next.
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