Who Are You by JTVION

 

JTVION’s newest single “Who Are You” is an electric and melodic soon-to-be hit. His melancholy cadence and taunting lyrics give it an angsty vibe, along with stunning production by prodbybmw. His vocals are raw, even as he harmonizes with himself. It’s just over two minutes long, making it perfect to add to a playlist and keep the sound fresh. It has the honest energy that many young listeners are searching for, topped off with his catchy style. “Who Are You” has all the elements of taking off. Considering it was released less than a week ago, this is a track to lookout for.

Click here to listen to “Who Your Are” anywhere.

A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH REESIE WOODS

      

Reesie Woods, a young R&B artist determined to let his spark ignite the music industry. His qualifications are above most, but it’s his spirit that makes his music enjoyable. With a handful of projects and singles under his belt, he has been able to generate an engaged and dedicated audience. Although he’s in the early stages of his career, his knowledge of his craft and his amazing talent are sure to take him much further. I talked to him to learn more about his latest single and what experiences crafted him into a young artist.


You music has a well tuned and mature sound, what are your roots in creating music?

REESIE: First of all thank you! Yes, I believe that my music actually really stems from my actual experiences and growth.When there was I feel like I was (am) growing into myself through these experiences. I feel as if that bleeds in my music, and everything I do creatively. Also my music influences have a big role in it as well. Such as Miguel, Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, Diddy, John Legend, and of course Usher!


What pushed you to pursue a career in music?

REESIE: What pushed me to pursue to do music was (believe or not) Alicia Keys! I watched a video of her performing on the Soul Train awards on youtube, playing the piano, and singing. The way she was doing it, the way she was so captivating. I just knew I had to at least explore the feeling, so I began piano lessons at 13, and long story short it was wraps! Went to college to study music, discovered my love for singing, started being trained classically. Got my degree in Music Business. Now here I am aspiring to my dreams and aspirations! It hella life lessons that could be taught through learning music, and singing music as well. I am grateful for the rocky process. Truly.

R&B has been rising back into mainstream popularity. What’s something new or back in style that you’re happy about?

REESIE: First of all. This make me extremely happy. Simply because soul music has such an impact in my life. I grew up around various amounts of R&B music being played around me. I love the fact R&B is a little bit more alternative meaning that its incorporating a new sound but with the essences of true R&B. Artist such as SZA, Anderson Paak! Also, please do not sleep on this artist that goes by the name of Yebba!! She has this gospel influence to her! She is the real deal! I love artist who can really go there and really tap into the soul aspect of music. Thats my point tho. I love that the soul aspect is coming back into R&B, BECAUSE that is what R&B is.

Has quarantine helped you or hurt you creatively? How so?

REESIE: I would say it has helped me! It has help me tremendously. I had all this extra time to think, to meditate on so many different thoughts, emotions, fears, and really strengthen myself. To grow in confidence, to forgive, to grow from certain fears. Overall to not stunt my growth as becoming the person I want to be. KEYWORD “I” simply because I was so focused on other peoples opinions when my opinions should be the first and last opinion I think of. Quarantine put so many things into perspective for me, which is why my song Midnight II. just really came so fast, and so naturally. Because I was able to confront my mental barriers. YES that’s a thing. haha Speaking for myself. 

What’s the story or motivation behind “Midnight II”? It sounds like the theme to a good date night.

REESIE: The story behind Midnight is about a girl I was in a situation with. It’s about you two wanting to be together, but these cycles keep happening, and getting in the way of the actual talking phase. Meaning we can never get pass our issues, because of these assumptions. So that why I write the hook. “Love me tease me know you think about me, Hate me but you miss me tell me how you really tryna be” So Midnight II. is literally about a phase in a relationship. Thats why the music video describes it so well. Because by the end of the video is a sense of relief between couple because you know it’s love there but shit keeps getting in the way. Thats Why I say “save me from your midnight” meaning I just want to see you lets talk, lets get through this.

What’s your next step in music as far as keeping fans engaged while concerts are still somewhat far in our future?

REESIE: Definitely more videos! I love video foe real real. More covers, and behind the scene footage of my process. More music is coming, and musical features I am crazily hyped about! Also we have more releases soon with our clothing line Protagnia! So be on the lookout and support!

Will “Midnight II” be a part of larger body of work? When can fans expect more from you?

REESIE: Haha. It still really early for me to tell actually. Because I wrote Midnight II. based off a feeling and I just kinda go with my true feelings. Fans can expect more from me this year for sure. I just getting warmed up. I feel as tho I reach the point were I can really express myself musically, and more is coming sooo sooooon.

Click here to listen to “Midnight II” anywhere.

pof by glasear

The concept that producers are artists in themselves has become more prevalent in the last decade. Producers are pivotal to the recording process and give songs their life force. Producer glasear takes it up a notch, creating a world within his music. His latest project “pof” is a quick look into his creative ideas and possibly his sound at its purest.

The EP begins with The First Step “Monoto”, it has a surreal essence. The tempo changes at glasear’s will. Like a dream, you're at the mercy of imagination. The soft bass and fluttering chords allow the track to flow. It mends perfectly into “Spyro (The Second Step)”. This instrumental sounds like falling deeper into the rabbit hole. The pacing of the drums gives off haste and the feeling that time is running out. It ends with a transition to a much calmer sound, almost like transcendence. Next is “Absorb (The Third Step)”. This track has similar elements to jazz. It’s freeing. Each instrument and sound has its own, distinct identity within the song, but they manage to complement each other and have the space to create something more. “Absorb” feels looser and more carefree than its predecessors. “Bliss (The Final Step)” has a rock influence with heavy drums, distorted strings, and angst that will engulf each listener. On the surface there’s chaos, but only to guard the soft, angelic vocals. Each just as precious.

Click here to listen to pof on SoundCloud.

Ill by avakten

Artist avakten has taken his discography to an all new height with his single “Ill”, co-produced by Ginseng and his producer alias- Simulacra. The fusion hyper pop and his airy vocals make the song a hit for any occasion. Lyrically, the song is revealing, but uplifting. “You were fake before we started...My past been painful, I’ve been beaten down”, avakten has gifted his heart and had it broken before him. He’s turned this heartbreak into sweet melodies and a remedy for those feeling just as sick. 

Click here to listen to “Ill” on SoundCloud 

The Nastiest by Michael Seuss

Michael Seuss has never failed to stay true to Hip Hop. His latest single, “The Nastiest” hits harder than most. His lyricism is boisterous and his delivery is hard-hitting, it’s difficult not to meet his energy. It seems he’s met a point in his journey where things are falling together and others are falling apart. In only a few weeks the song has climbed to the top of his Spotify Popular Songs chart. For those that admire lyrics with a bit of thought behind them, Michael Seuss catalog is more than adequate.

 Click here to listen to “The Nastiest” on Spotify.

YBN Cordaé’s Lost Boy Tour

YBN Cordaé’s music is reaching a larger audience than he’s ever dreamed, and this summer, so will he. The South Carolina native rapper is bringing his sound across North America. The tour begins in Montreal, Quebec on the 23rd of this month and is currently scheduled to end a month later in Anaheim, California. Cordaé has kept his new music under lock and key. So far, he and his camp haven’t experienced any leaks, but fans are getting antsy. On his most recent Instagram post, at the time of writing, a fan tried out his luck, pressing the young rapper to release the album. Although there is no official release date known to the public, Cordaé promises he won’t go on tour without dropping the album first. Considering his explosive rapping skills, I think his fans could use a few extra days to learn all the lyrics before tour kicks off.