By Elizabeth Chandler

Under the name Makesure, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Joshua Jackson recently released  a new single “Girl Drummer,” featuring Marina Gurmendi. The single is one of two he has released from his upcoming album Ninjutsu, which comes out on September 3, 2021, via Tooth & Nail Records. 

When asked about what makes this single different from his other releases, Jackson stated: “‘Girl Drummer’ is a special song to me. I remember working on it for a few days off and on, until it felt finished. From the start, I knew I wanted to sing the words "I forgive you," without it sounding cheesy or forced. Writing this song was a journey to end up at those words, so it ended up being this winding maze kind of thing... forgiveness can be that way. You think you're over something, then you see a certain person again and it throws you off, and you feel like you're back to square one. My close friend Marina Gurmendi sings on this song… she had a strong emotional reaction to the whole thing. Seeing that was a healing experience for me. I had this moment, like, ‘Thank God, someone else understands.’”

Jackson navigates feelings without luxuriating in self-pity and gloomy solipsism. Instead, he moves through the achy-hearted maze of forgiveness with sincerity in both word and song: A song gets old (I forgive you, I do)/ Grudges get lost (don’t know why it took so long)/ Time just goes on (on and on and on)/ A new wave laps over the older one

He begins with folk, blends the sound with touches of irish-folk,  and ends with an indie-punk sound. The changes in rhythm and sound are a nod to the  maze of forgiveness Jackson mentions above. The lyrics along with these changes are completely honest. Gurmendi’s vocals add to that with a gossamer effect, soft and forthcoming, as the lyrics match the feeling of the song completely.