Jessie Murph & Teddy Swims, Dirty Review

by Constance Tucker

From the moment “Dirty“ begins, the listener is drawn into a sonic conversation between two powerhouse vocalists, Jessie Murph, and Teddy Swims. Murph delivers raw emotionality, while Swims keeps things alive with his rich, soulful timbre. This track is an emotional rollercoaster of heartbreak and betrayal, but through Murph and Swims’ impeccable vocal control and subtle nuances, they carry the weight of the song’s narrative.

The song opens with Murph’s magnetic singing. Her embellishments of the melody have soul overtones as she introduces the song’s storyline and theme for the first time through the form. Swims takes over for the second time through the song form, his timbre is warm, resonant, and imbued with a gravelly texture that lends itself beautifully to a breakup anthem like “Dirty.” The richness in his lower register adds a sense of gravitas to the lyrics, while his upper register, smooth and full, conveys a vulnerability that makes each line feel deeply personal. Murph and Swims deliver their parts with emotion and solid pitch control, but with enough grit to make you believe they have been through the heartache, they are singing about.

One of the most impressive aspects of this performance is their breath control. Murph’s ability to hold long, sustained notes without sacrificing tonal quality is a testament to her vocal discipline. In “Dirty,” Swims expertly paces his breath, particularly in the chorus, where the lines stretch into emotional crescendos. This control allows the vocalists to build intensity gradually, without rushing the emotion, which makes the pain in the delivery all the more believable.

This control is also evident in the way the two play with dynamics. They often pull back at the end of a phrase to create a sense of yearning, only to release it with full force in the following phrase. This technique engages the listener and adds an emotional push and pull that mirrors the song’s theme of betrayal and unresolved feelings.

Murph and Swims don’t just sing the lyrics; they live them as they convey deep emotion with subtle vocal shifts. Whether it’s a slick soul turn at the end of a phrase or a slight change in how they pronounce a word, every choice feels intentional. For example, the way both deliver the lyric, “That shit was dirty,” is powerful, Murph allows a hint of rasp to creep into her voice, giving the sense that she’s holding back tears. It’s these slight vocal inflections that make this performance so genuine and relatable.

“Dirty“ is more than a breakup song; it showcases vocal skill and expression. Jessie Murph and Teddy Swims deliver a moving performance through their use of timbre, pitch control, and breath to create an emotional journey for the listener. The voices are the vehicle that drives the narrative, making this single a moving experience.