Local Review: Josaleigh Pollett — bro’s bad january

Josaleigh Pollett
bro’s bad january
Self-Released
Street: 02.01.25
Josaleigh Pollett = Phoebe Bridgers + Mitski + Ethel Cain 

In Josaleigh’s Pollett’s newest album, bro’s bad january, the local singer-songwriter releases a compilation of songs that she wrote for every day in January, reminding people about one of life’s most important things: having fun! Featuring contributions from online friends, the album is more than just Pollett’s raw indie acoustic sound, but a reflection of community and the creativity stemming from these collaborations. Starting as a way to keep the “winter blues away,” Pollett’s project turned into a creative outlet to distract themself from the world’s uncertainties.

As the title suggests, the album’s somber nature feels like a cold, snowy day. It reminds me of a snow globe, capturing the winter blues in a time capsule that will live on forever — like long winter days, where the sheer white sky is disorienting and makes time feel endless. However, I wouldn’t say the title name completely matches the essence of the album; many tracks aren’t as completely melancholy and as “bad” as Pollett says they are. 

Comprised of 31 short tracks, the shortest being 37 seconds, each song is listed with the date of the month that it was written on, marking the month of January and the significance of the writing challenge. Pollett’s dreamy vocals, alongside the light strums from the guitar, is like a sweet, soft lullaby you don’t want to end. It’s almost as if they’re in the room with you, the vibrations and bright tones echoing as they sing. Their voice is very down to earth and warm, creating a feeling of familiarity. No matter the depth of the lyrics, Pollett makes you feel something with every note. 

Since Pollett’s last album, In The Garden, By The Weeds, their electronic pop sound has morphed into more of a bluesy indie folk sound similar to Faye Webster’s I Know I’m Funny Haha. Utilizing only her voice and an acoustic guitar, bro’s bad january is a comprised of the bare, basic elements of music, where the shining light derives from the vulnerability of Pollett’s magical songwriting. 

Even with the array of topics included, the singer-songwriter creates a cohesive album with tracks that flow into each other with ease. From track one, “Hockey Player Love Affair,” to track 31, “You’re a Piece of Mail,” the instrumentation and tempo stays melodic with an indie folk sound.  

One of my favorite tracks on the album is track two, “Wrong Person, Wrong Time.” Alongside the rich, delicate guitar strums, Pollett sings, “You’re a flat tire on my bike and I fucked up the rim trying to ride it / I could try to move on but this country store is playing our song / And I know it aint right, but I won’t be alright ‘til we get to be wrong.” I find this part to be quite poetic as it illustrates both a scene between two star-crossed lovers as well as their true emotions of conflicted love behind the imagery. The song ends abruptly with a slight brushing of the mic, creating a bittersweet reaction that matches the track title and its contents. 

There are some sillier tracks, too — alongside the ones that make you want to sit in your bedroom, looking out the window with nothing but some noise-cancelling headphones to wallow. “Snowman Comfort Song,” “Doll Watching a Human,” “Animal Friends,” “Sewer Turtles,” “Eating a Good Meal” and “Your Doppelgänger At The Party” are lighthearted tracks that you can tell were a fun time to write. These are a few tracks on the album that represent the challenge Pollett took on, using the random prompts to kickstart her songwriting. 

In track 13, “Animal Friends,” the lyrics describe the bond between an animal and their owner. As someone who owns cats, this song is wholesome, relatable and still pulls at the heartstrings while being a song about pets. “To be the kind of person to believe in, well I don’t even have to try” perfectly describes the connection your pet has with you and how special that relationship is. 

In track 22, “Your Doppelgänger At The Party,” describes a situation that I have been in before and Pollett’s approach to the song sets the scene up as if you can see it on a screen. The lyrics “Freaking out / Couldn’t believe / Did somebody slip me something? / Did anyone see that I already have arrived at this party” has to be my favorite lyric of the album because it gave me quite a laugh when I first heard it. Everyone has a doppelgänger or a lookalike, so when you see them from across the room or out of the corner of your eye walking past you, it’s quite a phenomenon in the moment. 

With many more amazing tracks on the album, Pollett’s sound is beautifully emotional and poetic project that paints clear pictures in your mind through songwriting. —India Bown

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