Jacob Alon might not know it yet, but they are a ‘Fairy in a Bottle'

In important moments in your life, it is often said that “you’ll just know”. This thought struck me after seeing Glaswegian artist Jacob Alon perform at The Great Escape in Brighton this past May. The thought became a feeling that washed over me as I listened to their first official release, ‘Fairy in a Bottle’.  

Jacob themself has described this piece as ‘an admission; a lament for the curse of falling for unavailable people.’ 

This idea of limerence (the obsession you have for a manufactured idea of someone), is as relevant as always, exacerbated further via the façade of social media and the online personas we create. 

The track begins with a closely microphoned acoustic guitar, a gentle hiss swimming in the background.  

‘I know I shouldn’t give into this fantasy. 

Your love won’t heal the wounded parts of me.’  

These are the words with which Jacob introduces themself to the world—a violently honest self-evaluation of love and infatuation. Their ability to marry falsetto and chest voice is crushing. There is a weight attached to this shockingly heavy vulnerability.  

There is despair in Jacob’s vocal delivery, paired with unabridged honesty that pulls at your heartstrings without hesitancy.  

‘Have I allowed my heart to become so cruel, 

as to imprison an idea of you?’  

The best song writing encompasses the ‘show, don’t tell’ rule of lyricism, with this image as a perfect example.  

In a landscape dominated by short track lengths, Jacob captures your attention for five minutes before you realise it.  

The arrangement is sparse. Floating piano keys sway during the chorus, and synths travel slowly and softly throughout the track.  

During the first distinct change that occurs in this track, at 3:28, Jacob delivers these words.  

‘But through the swarm, I’ve seen a child.  

Alone,  

unsure as he cries,  

To speak or to die’  

There is a venom with which Jacob spits the word ‘speak’. There is a darkness to this beauty, as there is, always, with all beautiful things.  

If this is your first encounter with Jacob Alon, I have no doubt it will not be your last. If they are playing near you, do yourself a favour and experience this breath-taking songwriter.