When Jess Harp sings, one can’t help but listen. Savvily melding their choir boy chops, the folk songs of their home in Northwest Arkansas, and sonic nods to indie bands like Girls and Execution of All Things Rilo Kiley, Jess’ debut EP, JESSY BABY FOREVER, is a testament to the rapport between emo, country, and folk.

Born in Rogers, Arkansas and reared in Bentonville, Jess Harp first explored their distinctively angelic voice under the guidance of highschool music programs and church choirs. It wasn’t until well into their 20s that Jess started teaching themselves guitar and writing songs, merging their traditional tonality with a variety of contemporary and classic pop styles: the intimacy of Chet Baker, the urgency of Angel Olsen, and the pop/emo ear of Chris Owens (of whom Jess Harp, in homage, has based their moniker after).

JESSY BABY FOREVER is a celebration of the nuances of lives lived, things tried, and the learning of many pains. Within its five tracks are stories about people falling into addiction, stories about family, and stories of the growth of musicianship and artistry. JESSY BABY FOREVER is as raw and organic as a group of friends singing along to a band at a house show, a hymn sung in church, or the rocky green Ozark hills where it was born. Its intimacy and unexpected, unbruised communion of joy will leave country/folk lovers and indie kids alike.