"If You Never Fall in Love with Me" from Samara Joy's 2021 self-titled debut album is a vocalese performance built on Sam Jones's jazz composition "Del Sasser." The practice of writing lyrics to existing jazz instrumentals, known as vocalese, has a rich tradition associated with artists like Eddie Jefferson, King Pleasure, and Jon Hendricks. Joy's decision to include this piece on her debut demonstrated both her deep knowledge of jazz history and her ambition to engage with the tradition's more demanding vocal practices. The tune's 64-bar AABA form in B-flat is taken at a brisk swing tempo of around 230 beats per minute, requiring precise rhythmic execution to navigate the complex melodic contours with lyrics. Pasquale Grasso contributes a half-chorus guitar solo that is characteristically inventive and harmonically advanced, his playing evoking the lineage of great jazz guitarists while maintaining a thoroughly personal voice. Joy's vocal interpretation of the vocalese lyrics demonstrates her exceptional sense of time and her ability to swing effortlessly at uptempo speeds. This track exemplifies the artistic philosophy of her debut album, which sought to revive lesser-known gems from the jazz vocal tradition and present them with fresh conviction and youthful energy.
