Music / Premieres
Video Premiere:
Jess Johns - Stranger
Words by James Lynch
Tuesday 25th May, 2021
Following the release of ‘Stranger’ over the weekend via Swirl Records, captivating Adelaide songwriter Jess Johns has shared a first look at the hazy new clip that accompanies her evocative sophomore single with us today.
Building around a lilting guitar over a shuffling groove, ‘Stranger’ expands with Jess’ powerful vocals, her rich croon dripping with emotion as it rises and falls languorously over the swelling instrumental. Although the track remains fairly modest across its runtime, with its chiming guitars and unhurried rhythm section refusing to over-extend themselves, Jess’ vocals truly shine as they radiate through the tangles of sound; and despite the track’s themes of uncertainty, the sense of unforced passion in her performance makes ‘Stranger’ feel at the more composed and immersive as it winds along.

Just like the track itself, the new clip feels simultaneously humble while overflowing with poignancy. Created by musician and artist Harriet Fraser-Barbour, there’s a glorious balminess to the clip with its grainy Super 8 visuals, which makes the long shots of Jess cruising beneath the tree line feel as nostalgic as they are instantaneous.

Speaking about the clip, Jess reveals the shoot was just as effortless as it seems. "Super 8 is something I have always wanted to film with. When my friend, Harriet told me they had a camera and fully formed clip idea it all fell into place. Riding out the top of a roofless car was real dream material. Like how they used to do out the top of limos in movies I watched as a kid!"

'Stranger' is out now in all the usual places through Swirl Records. Jess Johns is launching the single at the closing night performance of Accent, at Urban Cow Studio in Adelaide on Friday May 28th.