For the first half of her debut LP – the ominously titled Sweet Sticky Fix, Helena Jesele attacks the pursuit of sex with the hunger of a Lothario.
Downcast horns, cuts like the title track, and Jesele’s smoky croon reflects society’s shift in women becoming more active in airing their horizontal penchants.
The six-foot something Dubliner can be called a lot of things; shy or introverted isn’t among them. She’s a courageous songwriter, opting to angle a soulful style that many before her have flaunted (Duffy, Adele, Amy Winehouse).
She’s also banked her hopes on the precarious concept format. It’s a path that’s led fellow Britons Alex Turner and Mike Skinner to revered status (well, it did temporarily for the latter). It’s led many more than that to the welfare line.
Somehow Jesele makes it work, mainly due to her heart-on-sleeve tact and a studio band that gives her vocals room to breathe.
‘Let The Game Begin’ is the perfect leadoff single and is tailor made for the opening credits of a Roger Moore movie circa 1981.
Others, such as ‘Angel Save Me’ and ‘Lovesick Avenue’, build dreamily and swoon masterfully. The latter is a standout despite a lyrical trip in the chorus (“welcome to lovesick avenue / it’s on the corner of unrequited and heartache”).
Jesele loses a lot of her lust(re) when she delves into the aftermath of sex and the resulting relationships.
Rather than working to the album’s detriment, it actually arcs the LP, giving her story a sense of finality. It also makes Sweet Sticky Fix work far better as a run-through listen than a skip ‘n’ play.
Without over-flaunting her talents or pandering to her Motown influencers, Jesele has crafted an assured debut, prompting well-deserved anticipation for a sophomore spin.
