"Dutch pop artist Janne Schra has been releasing records for upwards of a decade and that maturity shows in the surprisingly dense and diverse album PONZO, the eclectic performer’s fifth full-length. Schra’s music ranges from classic 50s/60s pop, included the infectious jingle-swing of “Everything I Do Ooh Ooh”, to futurist pop with a chamber quartet (“Ship”) and really everything between. Haunting ballads? Sure, see the minimal beauty of “The Show” and “Little Bamboo”. Need funky rhythms? “Carry On” and “Filthy Rich” will do you good. Not only is Schra well rounded, she sounds powerful and confident in any of these far reaching genres.
Ponzo is produced with lushness, letting notes ring and textures rise to the top. Schra is an excellent songwriter while avoiding any sort of pop tropes, riding in her own lane, though there’s nothing explicitly weird or inaccessible all the same. While it’s later in her career, P...
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"Dutch pop artist Janne Schra has been releasing records for upwards of a decade and that maturity shows in the surprisingly dense and diverse album PONZO, the eclectic performer’s fifth full-length. Schra’s music ranges from classic 50s/60s pop, included the infectious jingle-swing of “Everything I Do Ooh Ooh”, to futurist pop with a chamber quartet (“Ship”) and really everything between. Haunting ballads? Sure, see the minimal beauty of “The Show” and “Little Bamboo”. Need funky rhythms? “Carry On” and “Filthy Rich” will do you good. Not only is Schra well rounded, she sounds powerful and confident in any of these far reaching genres.
Ponzo is produced with lushness, letting notes ring and textures rise to the top. Schra is an excellent songwriter while avoiding any sort of pop tropes, riding in her own lane, though there’s nothing explicitly weird or inaccessible all the same. While it’s later in her career, PONZO has every ability to catch on and make Janne Schra an internationally successful artist beyond the charting success she’s already achieved in the Netherlands." - Operation Every Band (gave the album a 9 out of 10)
Janne Schra (born 1981) began her musical career with the band Room Eleven, touring with them through Europe, Japan, Canada and South Africa, with highlights including performances at the Montréal Jazz Festival and Johannesburg Joy of Jazz. The album Six White Russians and a Pink Pussycat (2006) went platinum, Mmm…Gumbo (2008), recorded in New York, went gold. Room Eleven also received two major Dutch music awards.
She collaborated with musicians like Solomon Burke, M. Ward, Kraak & Smaak, Sister Bliss and De Staat. She also re-released her songs with the Robin Nolan Trio in the tradition of Django Reinhardt, touring with the band through China.
Check out her approved cover of Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s From The Sun which will appear on the limited 10” vinyl (release April 15th).
“Owner of one of the most intriguing voices in this country.”
“Janne Schra has guts, she does exactly what her heart tells her to.”
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