XS Noize is pleased to premiere the video for “Jealous,” the latest single from Ferris & Sylvester’s forthcoming third album, It’s A Joy To Be Alive, out August 14 via their own Archtop Records label.
“Jealous” explores a feeling many people never quite shake: the sense of inadequacy that can come from comparing yourself to someone else. In Ferris & Sylvester’s hands, that complicated emotion is turned into something warm, melodic and uplifting, shaped by organic country-rock textures, pop sensibilities and the married duo’s trademark close harmonies.
Archie Sylvester says: “In its original form, ‘Jealous’ was conjured up by Issy when she was 17, about the cool kids at school. Over ten years later, we realised it still had deep meaning in our lives as adults. We had to work on it. It’s exciting to face the ‘uglier’ parts of ourselves in our writing. So much strength can come from it. This is for the kids, teens, adults, elderly folk, any human being who has felt inadequate standing next to someone else. It’s time we embraced it.”
The track follows a run of singles from It’s A Joy To Be Alive, an album that looks set to be Ferris & Sylvester’s most vulnerable and hopeful collection to date. The record finds the pair broadening their blend of blues, folk, rock, psychedelia and Americana while drawing inspiration from deeply personal experiences, including the premature birth of their son.
Ferris & Sylvester first met in a blues bar in London ten years ago. Since then, they have married, become parents of two children and begun building a new studio and label hub in the West Country.
Across their career, the duo have toured internationally, performed at festivals including Glastonbury and SXSW, sold out headline shows, and shared stages with artists including Robert Plant. Their previous albums, Superhuman and Otherness, earned them a Number 1 on the UK Official Jazz & Blues Albums Chart and Album of the Year at the Americana UK Awards.
They have also used their platform to raise money and awareness for pregnancy and baby charity Tommy’s and are patrons of the Music Venue Trust.
The video was filmed in Ferris & Sylvester’s own studio, where “Jealous” was written and recorded.
Speaking about the video, the duo said: “The video was filmed in our studio, where this song was written and recorded. We wanted to strip it right back and do something raw and real with it. There’s not really anywhere to hide, but it’s where we come alive. We had a great time putting it together.”
Watch the XS Noize premiere of “Jealous” below.
It’s A Joy To Be Alive is available to pre-order here and will be released on pink vinyl with a signed insert, signed CD and album bundle options.
