Model, actress, and now singer Paris Jackson took many listeners’ hearts with the release of her newest, and first, single: let down. For those who might’ve been keeping tabs on the entertainer, her foray into music might not have seemed like such a surprise, not only considering her background, but also with her current band, the Sound Flowers. However, judging on their music, to say this single was a surprise is a massive understatement.

Just like her personality, this song is very much an old soul. It not only feels like a classic prog ballad from the late 60s/ early 70s, but it also contains many instruments found almost exclusively in that era, especially the melancholic soundscape brought on by the mellotron, the thin tape strings playing at the very beginning of the track, shortly after Paris introduces her beautiful voice. What follows is an epic, grandiose sound that continuously builds as the song progresses, all the while carried by Paris’ melody and harmony.

The song waltzes at just about over four minutes, which feels just so perfect for this tune, neither being too short or too long. The ending, however, in true Beatles fashion, abruptly ends as the sound of the song pitches down like a record player coming to a slow end. Everything about this song screams vintage, without really feeling trapped in the nostalgia. There is something definitely modern about the track, not so much in production, which is incredibly reminiscent of that era, but more so in composition. The songwriting, while not being particularly ground-breaking, keeps it up from being simply watered down as a vintage wanna-be power ballad. This is an expression, a song of passion, coming from someone who truly has love for their craft, their purpose, and their sound.

It’s easy to get rose-tinted glasses when it comes to someone like Paris Jackson. At the beginning, I restrained from mentioning in detail her origin, because obviously that plays a huge role into the public’s perception of her music. That much, however, is incredibly unimportant to the quality of her music. Dismissing her father’s impact on her, however, is impossible. You can tell that his passion carried over to her immaculately, and her grievances over her father’s passing, as well as the love the two shared while he was alive, are both very evident in the songwriting. This is a song of celebration, and a song of grief, all the same, even by completely ignoring the lyrics.

Paris Jackson had a future in whatever she wished to pursue from the moment she was born. That much was obvious, but this song proves her talent as a Jackson, but most importantly, as a songwriter. I am incredibly eager to see what comes of her music career, both with Sound Flowers, her solo endeavors, and whatever else she wishes to pursue. This track is genuinely one of the most enjoyable of the year, and should be regarded with much higher praise than it already has garnered.

Author: Nicholas Gaudet

Music producer and writer from Dieppe, Canada.