For Philadelphia’s Queen of Jeans first full length album since 2019’s if you’re not afraid, i’m not afraid, Miriam Devora (vocalist/guitarist)  and Mattie Glass (guitarist) went to Grammy-nominated producer, Will Yip, with a clear vision.  What resulted, joined by Andrew Nitz (bassist) and Patrick Wall (drummer), is All Again. A sonic journey that follows the complete arc of a wavering romantic relationship.  We follow along as the connection between two people rises and falls through the complicated obstacles of emotions so artfully portrayed in All Again.

Characterized by the band as “part concept record, part post mortem”, the record ebbs and flows with sentiments ranging from joyous elation to confusion and hurt; ultimately circling back to the ambient sound that opens the record. The concept works really well. 

The album begins with Devora singing to a distant lover on “All My Friends”, expressing the loneliness and longing, “I’ve got all my friends around me, but I’m not home till I’m alone with you.”  The ballad starts off with only Devora’s vocals, eventually building to the band joining in at a point where the powerful melody washes over and envelopes you.  This is where Yip’s production really compliments the vision for the record.  His warm tones, punchy drums and Devora’s incredible vocals bounce around effortlessly between pop, 90’s alternative and the indie sound that Queen of Jeans have already been so good at.  

We transition into the second single of the record, “Horny Hangover”, that will instantly get stuck in your head with its catchy pop sensibilities. The song builds to a strong bridge where Wall’s drums really shine.  “Neighbors” starts off a stretch of the record where the relationship transitions from infatuation to heartache. The happy first half of the record is great; the complicated confusion depicted in the second half is terrific.  “Books In Bed” is a highlight with Glass’ guitar invoking 90s alternative.  It’s another track that will be stuck in your head as it builds to a particular moment with background vocals that makes you want to instantly replay it.  Subsequently, it transitions perfectly into another record highlight with “Bitter Pill”. 

Each track of the album builds to moments of impressive showcase for Devora’s vocal range, as heard with her  belting out “no matter how hard I try, I just look better with you on my mind” on “Karaoke”, or the calm desperate vibe of “Enough to Go Around”.  The serene moments of the album are complemented by the loud, heavy ones and leave you thrilled to experience more.

All Again begins to wind towards its conclusion with “Go Down Easy” and the incredible “Last To Try”, which could be the best song on a record full of standouts.  It ends with Devora acknowledging that, “If I got to do it all again, I’d find you there like I did back then.” 

The album is constructed in a way that makes you want to, in fact, do it all again. As the record ends, it is very easy to continue playing for a second (or third or sixth) listen. Each time picking up on different notes and melodies, creating new favorites.  The concept was ambitious, and Queen of Jeans went for it and pulled it off.  In an already insane year of music, All Again is a standout.  

Release Date: June 28th

Rating: 8.5

Tracklist:

  1. All My Friends
  2. Horny Hangover
  3. Karaoke
  4. Enough to Go Around
  5. Neighbors
  6. Let Me Forget
  7. Books In Bed
  8. Bitter Pill
  9. Go Down Easy
  10. Last to Try
  11. Do It All Again

Reviewed by Connor Wright