He might only be 19 years old still, but New Jersey folk-rocker Jake Thistle knows his way around a song. In his new single, ‘Brooklyn Can Wait’, he sings, somewhat ruefully,
“You can reinvent yourself in the city, and see how long it takes that new heart to break.”
He’s singing to a young woman, who is making it her mission to put away the childish things and make her way in the world as an independent person. But Jake Thistle is wise beyond his years and in his stunningly beautiful new single, it’s clear that he’s not only addressing her, but also reminding himself. Problems don’t go away even if you move to a different location or become more successful – sometimes, they actually become worse. You’ve got to work on them.
It’s not all sober wisdom from Jake Thistle; he can be rowdy too. His breakthrough single, ‘Ghosted Road’, released last year, is a searingly passionate track, with a heartbreaking melody, which was recognised by Indie Boulevard, who named it Best Americana Song of 2022. He’s become a firm favourite in the clubs of Asbury Park, and that’s a place that certainly knows talent when they see it.
‘Brooklyn Can Wait’ is heartfelt, sincere, and beautifully performed, expressing the sort of wisdom that most artists would be lucky to acquire in a lifetime. Thistle’s delivery is both soothing and soulful, with a compassion that is impossible to miss, as he warns the listener, as well as himself, about the dangers to be found in growing up too fast.
The music video for ‘Brooklyn Can Wait’, directed by Johnny Servais, sees Jake sitting and strumming on the floor in his bedroom, reflecting on those choices laying before him. His humility remains as he makes it to the big city; he busks in a subway station, singing his words of caution to all who pass by. There’s another character in the clip though, the young woman in question, who is also seen styling Jake’s hair. She finds the streets invigorating, and is completely taken up by everything about the fast pace of life, and is absolutely unafraid to throw her old life away and reinvent herself as someone new.
Watch the inspiring music video for ‘Brooklyn Can Wait’ here, and find out more about Jake Thistle and his music online on his official website, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
