Bye Bye Banshee - deathfolk magic

​Bye Bye Banshee 

Deathfolk Magic
self-released; 2018

​4.0 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

Bye Bye Banshee is a new side project by Minneapolis songwriter Jezebel Jones, She recently released Deathfolk Magic which is a four-song EP that explores dark dreams, magic, skulls and much more. The music is jazzy, dark, mystical and I thought it would work perfectly in the first season of True Detective. It’s also quite eclectic.

Up first is “If I Die in My Dreams” which is a slow moving avant garde jazz piece. It’s a haunting track with a walking bass line, eerie organ and slowly picked guitar. That being said the vocals are the star of the show. Jones is dynamic, sleek and mysterious when she sings. Her inflection fits the music perfectly.

“Bye Bye Banshee” seems like a perfect follow up. The song is ambient, haunting and beautiful. I found the loose percussion, subtle guitar and warm strings hypnotic. The vocals come and go as they please and are in no rush.

“Psychopomps” is another slow burn similar to “Bye Bye Banshee.” The song is so haunting I can’t emphasize it enough. You can practically see tree branches moving against a grey sky. Jones sings, “old souls / surround me / carry me down / down the dustiest trail.” The vocal harmonies toward the end of the track are sweet candy to your ear.

The highlight was arguably “Skull Rattles.” It’s certainly the most upbeat and catchy in its own unique, haunting way. You might even say it’s the most single worthy song in the batch.

​Overall, the four song are very unique onto themselves yet build a similar framework which makes them work together. This is one of the more original releases I have heard this year. Take a listen.

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