SLCene Suggests: Jessica Lea Mayfield at Kilby Court

JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD, KILBY COURT, Friday, June 13, 7:30 p.m., $12

When Jessica Lea Mayfield first entered my consciousness, she did so on the strength of her excellent 2011 album called Tell Me, a moody collection of dark country ballads and some twang-filled stompers produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach. After what seemed like ages between albums, the young singer/songwriter is back with a new set, Make My Head Sing, that amps up the guitar and the energy considerably, to great effect. The songs are still haunting, but this time they’re definitely more in your face, thanks to power-chord riffage seeping into the songs throughout. She co-produced it herself, alongside collaborator, bassist and husband Jesse Newport, so those sounds making her head sing are clearly what she wanted. And, just as clearly, Mayfield remains an artist to watch as she develops further. Israel Nash  and Charles Ellsworth are also on the bill.