Joe P's trajectory from backyard sessions to a fully realized indie rock powerhouse, you already know he does not half-step. Hot on the heels of his debut album, Garden State Vampire, the Jersey-born singer-songwriter delivers "Birthday Baby (The Girl with No Smile)," turning in a ghostly, gorgeous song that lingers like memories.
"Birthday Baby (The Girl with No Smile)" fuses raw, confessional lyricism in classic Joe P fashion with a lush, cinematic backdrop. His emotive vocal delivery reels you in right away, unraveling a story that feels like his own intimately personal narrative and something that resonates with all of us. There's something wistful here, an aching absence, as though he were singing to someone he can't quite grasp, a lost love, perhaps, or a younger version of himself.
Fans who have seen Joe P painstakingly dissect his creative process online will find much to like in "Birthday Baby (The Girl with No Smile)" sonic layers. There's the grit of a DIY musician, the finesse of a seasoned producer, and the undeniable soul of an artist who wears his heart on his sleeve. With "Birthday Baby (The Girl with No Smile)," Joe P continues to show that he is creating moments that linger long after the last note disappears.