5 Songs I Love w/ Jill Baldassari

Following the release of her 5-track debut EP 'Growing Pains', Flex caught up with Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Jill Baldassari to discover what influences her eclectic sounds and emotional storytelling style. If you enjoy Jill's picks, be sure to check out 'Growing Pains' at the end of the article.

1. Supernatural by Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande has always been biggest vocal inspiration, and I absolutely love this song of hers. The strong background vocals, vocal production, catchiness, and etheral feel throughout this love song make it so beautiful and dreamy, and it inspired my writing of my song “Fiction.”

2. Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder has always been one of my biggest songwriting inspirations, and I think that his genius really shines through in this song. I love his heartfelt and poetic lyrics, his use of modulation throughout the song, and his rich jazzy chord progressions.

3. Fall in Love Alone by Stacey Ryan

This jazzy-pop song is a no-skip. I absolutely love the overall groove of this song, Stacey’s intricate runs, the background vocals, and the lyricism. This song definitely inspired my own sound - incorporating pop with jazz elements!

4. the grudge by Olivia Rodrigo

This is one of my favorite of Olivia Rodrigo’s ballads. This song incorporates inspiring lyricism with emotion and raw vocals. Olivia’s performance of this song is fragile yet passionate. It is just so vulnerable and touching everytime I listen to it, and this ballad inspired my own song “In Time”!

5. Funny - Live by Tori Kelly

This song by Tori Kelly incorporates such profound lyricism. She has always been one of my biggest singer/songwriter inspirations, and this song is one of my absolute favorites of hers. The simplicity of only Tori’s emotive voice and guitar leave room for her powerful message and passion to shine through, as well as her unmatched vocal agility, adlibs, and runs.

Listen to Jill Baldassari's 'Growing Pains'