Jonah Kagen, Talkin’ About Jesus | Song Review

Georgia alternative singer-songwriter Jonah Kagen delivers a marvelously penned, performed, and produced single with “Talkin’ About Jesus.”

Picture it: it’s your first time listening to Georgia, singer-songwriter Jonah Kagen. Your reaction? Damn, this man is talented! His music goes hard, in an alternative, Americana, and folky kind of way.  On “Talkin’ About Jesus”, Kagen takes us to church – hallelujah! No, it’s not because he’s praising Jesus, but because of the top-notch vocal performance and the descriptive, honest songwriting.  Kagen wrote and produced the impressive single himself.

“Talkin’ About Jesus” commences with an enigmatic, intense drone. With the entrance of sustained chords, the rhythm increases. Eventually, it settles into an alternative record. The star of the show is Kagen, who impresses with his expressive, gritty vocals.  The coarse nature of his vocals is striking.  Something else that is striking is the honesty of the songwriting, exemplified by the excerpted lyrics from the first verse.  Jonah seems to fancy this woman… “You look so nice in this light / Yeah, you got mountains in your eyes with a sunset,” he sings in the second verse, and continues, “Yeah, God painted that / What I would give to see you again, just to paint you like a work of art.” Oh, snap! There are plenty of spiritual references, including in the crème de la crème, the chorus. The chorus is melodious and memorable. Oh, and for those who love a bomb, there’s a prominent f-bomb!

“Why are we talking about Jesus?

Baby, that never helps

Yeah, love, we’re all sinners, daddy’s going to hell

I got this love in me and no one to tell

God, just fuckin’ kiss me, I don’t want no one else

I don’t want no one else.”

Why is it that holy fuck feels appropriate here? Anyway, “Talkin’ About Jesus” probably should be avoided like the plague… in church that is! But, Jonah Kagen wows, sinful ways and all! This Georgia boy has got it!

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Jonah Kagen » “Talkin’ About Jesus” » Arista Records » 2.20.26 [📷: Arista Records]

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