Little Spark is the third studio album by Nashville based artist, Jessie Baylin, released on January 17, 2012.
Though some may simply know Jessie Baylin as the girl lucky enough to marry one of the Kings of Leon (she tied the knot with drummer Nathan Followill in 2009) this girl is a talent in her own right. Though she's mostly been flying under the radar, Baylin has been recording music since 2006. Her first album, You, was released exclusively through iTunes in 2007 and her major label, country-infused album Firesight came out the following year.

Baylin is back once again on indie label Blonde Rat to try and make her own mark on the music world with Little Spark. Here, she maintains some of her more country roots, but Baylin also infuses some jazz, blues and old school pop to create an easy-going, pretty album for those lazy, cold winter days.

The retro vibes are plentiful on Little Spark. Spacey, almost Spector-esque production value mixed with the mid-tempo pace of nearly every track feels reminiscent of the '60s, or perhaps more recently, Camera Obscura and their album Let's Get Out of this Country. And though the aforementioned elements of the album can make the whole thing feel sleepy, it's in the best way possible.

Baylin has a range in her voice that is impressive, though it may seem flawed at times. Opening track, "Hurry Hurry" has the singer reaching to high notes in the chorus, and the weakness of her upper register shows her, with the notes lacking the strength she has in her voice otherwise.

Tracks such as "I Feel That Too" and "Joy is Suspicious" find her in a lower register at certain points, almost bringing to mind another upcoming singer, Lana Del Ray. However, Baylin has more control over her voice than her contemporary, and her effortless notes are quite successful.

A highlight off the album is "Love is Wasted on Lovers." Here, Baylin croons about how those in love don't know how good they've got it. The vintage vibes are heavy here, with a shuffling backbeat, smooth piano and emotional tones and lyrics in her voice.

Another strongpoint is "Holiday," which also feels like it's from another time. Baylin sounds a little smoky and sultry here as she looks for some "peace in this world." Though the opening guitar riff sounds very reminiscent of a She & Him song, the song quickly takes on a personality of its own, and it mixes in some more country elements that Baylin has done in the past.

Though Baylin's music may never be as famous as her hubby's, this girl certainly has a sound all her own. Her mixture of genres and times is an original thing and certainly welcome to the music industry. And with the massive success of other female singers these days, perhaps Little Spark will finally put Baylin on the map where she belongs. by Carolyn Menyes, ACRN