Jacqueline Hackett - “Picket Fences”
Photo by Nathaniel Castro
New York City-based singer-songwriter Jacqueline Hackett has just released the vulnerable and folksy “Picket Fences.”
“Picket Fences” is built upon the foundation of an ethereal, melancholic pedal steel, which always seems to pique our interest, especially in these more sparsely recorded numbers. Acoustic guitar fastens itself to the production, tethering the song to its intimate, indie-folk existence.
Hackett’s vocal performance arrives with a remarkable and soul-stirring delivery that wonderfully matches the near-ghostly ambience of the arrangement. Much like our old emotions can come back to haunt us, “Picket Fences” provides the soundtrack for such an occasion.
Aside from some deep bass, minimal percussion, and scattered notes from a piano, the song leans heavily into Hackett’s voice to deliver its message, complete with an occasion harmony that significantly adds to the overall dreamlike vibe.
The subject matter traverses that sting of denial amidst the debris of a toxic relationship. You have our heartfelt condolences if you’ve ever been there yourself, but with lyrics such as “Losing a best friend… Someone I didn't know… Turns out to be another ghost,” you are bound to find some painful glimpses into your past.
“Picket Fences” was conceived in Brooklyn, NY with Quinn Devlin and Sam Skinner and is bound to resonate with fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Skullcrusher, and Angel Olsen. Connect with Jacqueline Hackett here: Website | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
-HD