By Kate Spencer
After releasing two critically acclaimed albums in 2020, a collaboration with indie pop band TV Girl in 2021, and the masterfully produced Face the Wall earlier this year, it’s clear that bedroom pop artist Jordana has no plans of slowing down any time soon. I’m Doing Well, Thanks for Asking builds on the indie pop-rock sounds she began to establish on her latest album while also working towards more cohesive storytelling and theme, both lyrically and sonically. The opening track “You’re in the Way” sets the stage for the story of a relationship gone awry, full of bitter, biting lyrics juxtaposed by Jordana’s passive, still energetic, vocal delivery; a line she toes expertly throughout the EP. The project’s centerpiece “SYT” stands out with its shouty chorus and electric backing vocals and adlibs, the lyrics (“Feel that fear, fear of losing me”) also embodying the records themes of anger for someone you thought you loved, and who you thought loved you.
While I’m Doing Well, Thanks for Asking is certainly about as cohesive as a project can get, it teeters on the edge of being almost too cohesive, with many of the instrumentals and melodies blending together, begging the question: how different are these tracks from each other, really? “Is It Worth It Now?” attempts to switch up some of the instrumental sounds present on the EP with bright, bubbly synths which, while very pleasant, still end up taking a back seat to simple electric guitars and drums. The EPs closing track “Careless Mistake,” a piano based ballad with beautiful string and vocal arrangements, finally brings something new to the table, but it feels too little too late and slightly out of place both sonically and lyrically.
While I’m Doing Well, Thanks for Asking is certainly about as cohesive as a project can get, it teeters on the edge of being almost too cohesive, with many of the instrumentals and melodies blending together, begging the question: how different are these tracks from each other, really? “Is It Worth It Now?” attempts to switch up some of the instrumental sounds present on the EP with bright, bubbly synths which, while very pleasant, still end up taking a back seat to simple electric guitars and drums. The EPs closing track “Careless Mistake,” a piano based ballad with beautiful string and vocal arrangements, finally brings something new to the table, but it feels too little too late and slightly out of place both sonically and lyrically.
The fifth project to come from Jordana, I’m Doing Well, Thanks for Asking marks a turning point in storytelling for the artist, with a masterful vocal performance and moments of intriguing and exciting production that I hope she continues to expand on in future projects.
Rated eight out of ten