Eight years following her debut album, “Finding Ophelia,” singer/songwriter Jinny Kim finds her voice to sing again through yet another beautifully rendered compilation of lyrical, heartfelt songs. Aptly entitled, “The Ugly Duckling and the Bittersweet January”, Jinny dedicates the album to “all those ugly ducklings still waiting to become swans. Still realizing they are swans.” She describes what it was like to face each January, filled with bittersweet uncertainty. What is certain now is that this talented artist’s second album – 8 years in the making – encapsulates the story of her long struggle, her ‘long flight’ and journey towards self-growth. Jinny’s story is the human story – sung with depth and understanding, refreshingly honest and real. The steady beat of “Fat Head,” in the arrangement of those darker, brooding minor chords, is a beautiful marriage of artistry and story. This typifies her songs past and present. She sings in the 1st and 2nd person points of view, often addressing the ‘you’ in “Neverland,” “Pieces” and “Try” – from a time and place defined by waiting and uncertainty. There is a plaintiveness in her melodies, but there is also a turning towards understanding and hope. “We’re a mess but we’d still be free and maybe we could be, we could be, we could be if we try…” This turning towards healing and growth is evident in her last song, “Lesser God”. With original melodies that evoke the kind of childhood whimsy that Jinny often alludes to (“Horses,” “Ugly Duckling,” “Neverland”), her songs are never weighed down by the seriousness of the matter; rather, they are the means by which the artist has taken flight. Eight years in the process… One can say this is Jinny’s coming-of-age album. And even more, she’s crafted her soul into it and that will undoubtedly touch the hearts and souls of many. Yes, Jinny’s voice is back, strong and clear - confident with understanding, patiently honed through time. The result is that we are taken alongside of her. How many of us are still hesitant, still waiting to take flight? These songs will minister to the soul because Jinny has overcome and will continue to overcome. To all those ugly ducklings not knowing who they truly are, she writes: “Perfect love casts out all fear. I promise. So go ahead and fly.”