“Go play mindgames with your toys // I still got my punk rock joy // Take my rights but you can’t destroy // All my love and my punk rock joy.” Lines that are not essentially different from what you normally listen to on our blog, but the packaging by Boston-based singer-songwriter Jessye DeSilva is a completely different story, both in sound and meaning. On her third album, Glitter Up The Dark, she pushes her piano-led alt-Americana into bolder, brighter territory. Produced by (and created in close collaboration with) Aaron Lee Tasjan, the ten new songs thread 80s pop shimmer, 90s alt textures, and 00s theatrical sparkle through rootsy foundations, landing somewhere between confessional and cathartic.

At a time when the artist’s identity as a trans woman is under increasing threat, the lyrics about queer joy, identity, and resistance feel urgent but never heavy-handed, just as the artist’s sound and voice are distinctly her own: defiant, tender, and alive to possibility.

Glitter Up The Dark is out now digitally and on CD (self-released). Featuring Jessye DeSilva (lead vocals,piano, Wurlitzer, Fender Rhodes), Aaron Lee Tasjan (backing vocals, guitars, bass, organ, synths), and Matty Alger (backing vocals, drums, percussion, drum machine, synths), with Butch Walker (backing vocals, guitars), LaFemmeBear (backing vocals, and Adia Victoria (backing vocals) on select tracks.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp