Courtney Jacobs originally cut her teeth as the vocalist of Silver Retriever, a dynamic six-piece at the center of the University of Virginia’s music scene. Since then, she has stepped into a prolific solo project that trades the groove-laden garage rock of her college band days for polished and mellow neo-soul pieces. “let me” is her most compelling and well-crafted release yet, showcasing Jacobs’ signature blend of expert composition and intelligent lyricism. Characteristically, themes draw from personal experience to arrive at insightful, nuanced conclusions, manifested in perceptive verses like “Every moment just becomes a song that I’m too young to judge”, while unique sonic fixings like pointed guitar riffs, misty keyboard samples, deep basslines, and balanced percussion create an utterly buoyant backdrop. In terms of style, Jacobs channels contemporary R&B greats like Lianne La Havas and Emily King, pairing powerful yet graceful vocals against the aforementioned robust instrumentals to devise an atmospheric, sanguine sound that is accessible and familiar without feeling stale.