Josie Arthur, who goes by JOBIE onstage, presents a melancholic journey of growing up, living, and learning in their debut album Grendel, released on January 6.

The singer/songwriter, a junior at Emerson College, has become well-known on campus. They have played numerous shows around Boston and their hometown of Richmond, Virginia, in addition to performing at different Emerson events like magazine launches, and even opened for Sidney Gish last year.

Grendel features eight tracks, compiling the revelations of growing up. Josie told me this album outlines her realizations about childhood over the past two years or so. Their dreamy songwriting and naturally sorrowful voice make for the perfect “sad girl” album to envelop yourself in during the cold winter months.

In an interview, I asked Josie what inspired the album. “I was thinking a lot about my childhood and how it relates to the way I react to situations in my life now. Things from my childhood conditioned me to act a certain way, and I’m just sort of now realizing that and taking note of it, and also getting okay with the way that I grew up,” she said. This sense of giving and growing is evident within the album, as JOBIE illustrates stories of heartbreaks and longing, themes that have certainly colored all of our memories growing up.

The album’s first track titled “take my coat,” is filled with whimsical vocals accompanied by the quiet, comforting sounds of acoustic guitar. Josie’s dreamy voice introduces us to an exploration of childhood and displays the start of a soundtrack for the nostalgia of growing up. Lyrics like “I’m a girl in my prime / Oh God let me feel it this time” remind me of times in my own childhood, clinging onto the fleeting connections of adolescence.

The second track “all is well,” has been stuck in my head since I first heard it. JOBIE’s storytelling perfectly captures the bittersweet essence of a breakup, as we lose someone we love while still learning so much about ourselves. We’re forced to reflect upon our own past relationships through this musical journey with a downbeat tempo and soft percussion that beautifully complements her voice. A danceable track for all of the sad girls out there, JOBIE captures the sorrows that are created from the memories of past relationships and misunderstandings.

“bottom of the sea” was released as the first single from Grendel back in November. Josie filmed a beautiful music video that captures the earthy, woody vibe that she told me she tried to capture through her debut album. Using metaphors of forest and sea, the impact of nature and growing up in such an environment is not only reflected by JOBIE’s recent music video, but also by the natural, nostalgic sound of her indie pop melancholia.

“bottom of the sea” presents a metaphor for the singer’s travels through heartbreak, as JOBIE takes her audience from the bottom of the sea to the middle of the earth in a plea for understanding from her partner. Her lyricism breaks my heart, as I recall experiencing these feelings for the first time as a young girl. Lines like “And I could scratch my skin until I bleed/ Wondering if I was the best that I could be'' are perfect examples of the honest and heart-wrenching storytelling JOBIE is known for around campus. The singer’s vocal range truly shines through on this track, mirroring the ups and downs of emotions the song brings to its audience.

One of my favorites on the album, “so clean” features poignant lyrics like “and every time I made a mess / you’d pick up all the shit I’d left / That made you look so clean.” Its delicate piano notes frame a beautiful melody about the loneliness that comes with growing up, breaking up, and experiencing all of life’s major changes. I can totally see this song being featured in the soundtrack for my next breakdown.

Following the mystical, delicate melody of “so clean,” the fifth track on the album, ‘dead wrong’ presents a danceable, almost country folk rhythm. I’m immediately met with the urge to run through a field, arms spread wide, bouncing around to this song. When I talked to Josie about their album, they said it’s one of their goals in the future to make more songs that her fans will be able to dance to. From me to you, Josie, this song proves that you are on the right track. The chorus opens with the thoughtful lyrics “Gave you half of my heart so you could keep it/ in your desk drawer like you don’t need it.” It’s an absolutely alluring song that reflects on JOBIE’s past and shows personal growth in such a meaningful way.

“cruel vice” is another single from the album, and what Josie considers to be the hit of the album. The music video perfectly encapsulates the mood of the album and was released in December. It is filled with mystical creatures and speaks to the message of finding your place through living and learning. It’s an idyllic journey through early life, full of beautiful, longing vocals and lyricism.

The penultimate track of the album, “irish goodbye,” has been a fan favorite, and for good reason. It’s catchy, displaying JOBIE’s impressive vocal range, twisting in and out of delicate melodies. The lyrics paint a story of remembrance, grief, and the struggles of fitting in. The chorus repeats the phrase, “Take a polaroid picture / Make it last longer / Hope you had a good time tonight” as the singer reflects on how to best deal with leaving an old situation.

The last song, “to this day (grendel)” is arguably the most personal track on the album. In our interview, Josie told me about the mythical creature, Grendel, who holds claim over her album title. After reading the old English poem “Beowulf'' in high school, Josie found a connection to the monster in the story, Grendel, who grew up feeling misunderstood. She related this to her own experiences, creating a somber ode to childhood. It’s a familiar feeling to be in a room full of people and feel completely unseen – and this last track perfectly captures that dreadful feeling. It’s a slow and beautiful ballad to close out the piece of work.

The strain on Josie’s voice in the song and the connection they have to this song can absolutely be heard through its lyrics. JOBIE pulls elements of childhood into the tune through lines like “Spent most of my childhood alone / Chasing my tail and walking on a tightrope / Out in the fields / Catching grasshoppers with my hands.'' These lyrics brought back a strong flow of memories for me, reminding me of my own girlhood and the loneliness I’m still learning to grow out of. This song brings the album full circle, and might just be my favorite track (well, besides all of my other favorites, of course).

JOBIE’s debut album Grendel didn’t disappoint. The singer’s beloved melancholy has stepped into the spotlight, weaving together a story of growing up, living and learning. As someone who almost exclusively listens to sad indie music in the winter, I can confidently say that this album has been quickly added to my rotation. It’s emotional and raw and forced me to look back on my own life experiences and examine how I’ve dealt with changes, heartbreak, and my own departure from girlhood.

JOBIE Presents an Ode to Girlhood in Their Debut Album "Grendel"

Check out JOBIE’S music video “bottom of the sea"