One Track Mind

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Jenny and Johnny are just a couple of crazy kids: Jenny Lewis and her boyfriend Johnathan Rice. Their first single “Big Wave” is a sweeping swell of sing-along pop. Lewis’s voice melds with Rice’s creating gorgeous harmonies that sound as sweet as a candy apple. But listen closely as Lewis peels back the melodic exterior and reveals the rotten core. Whether she’s alluding to economic collapse or “sleepwalkin’ down to the lake / and wakin’ up in the water,” the words belie the music’s sun-drenched vibe. Lewis honed her talent for masking dark lyrical themes with beautiful melodies on tracks like Rilo Kiley’s “It’s a Hit” or Rabbit Fur Coat’s “You Are What You Love,” and “Big Wave” keeps that tradition alive.

And what about Rice? Only time will tell if he’s a better songwriter than Blake Sennett, but for now Rice appears to be more than just an adoring suitor; he’s also dedicated to Lewis, the performer. Rice has backed Lewis at every live performance of her solo career to date. Whether he’s a muse or a partner, on “Big Wave” Rice brings out the best in Lewis. I’m Having Fun Now, Jenny and Johnny’s debut full-length, will be released August 31st on Warner Bros.