Jerry Williams performed an understated set at The Barfly, with unreserved song-writing skills and simple chord progressions; she is an intrepid and candid musician.
The 19-year-old Portsmouth native opened the set on Cold Beer from her latest EP. The pop-infused song combined Williams’ youthful delivery with just a subtle touch of Ladytron-like electronic music. And I emphasise subtle.
Williams followed with Tyre Kicker – a song she said was about ‘boys who waste your time’ – a refreshing performance owing to her weightless voice and guileless guitar picking.
Boy Oh Boy was another song that held nothing back with a chorus as upbeat as it was reflective of adolescent relationships. Possessing a tone not dissimilar to an almost modern day revival of Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Williams ended her performance on Left and Right – co-written with Newton Faulkner – a cool tune with a country-esque jolty composition to accompany her frank and fleeting lyrics.
There is an innocent but intelligent boldness about Jerry Williams – a promising quality that will surely be the success of her future as a singer-songwriter. She’s already made an impression in Portsmouth after winning The Portsmouth Guide Award for Best Solo Performer Of 2015.
Williams confesses, ‘I would happily write songs all day, everyday forever.’ Let’s hope she doesn’t stop.
Cold Beer is available to download now on iTunes.