Expressive Innovation Bottled Posted May 28, 2024 By JoshuaGalla_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need to Know 4 Against 5's Jay-Way released his highly anticipated debut album with the label on Friday, February 2. The explanation of his art is best described on his website (www.jaywaythealien.com), "Globetrotting hip-hop. It's a diverse sound with European and American roots, combining rap's rhythmic delivery with the progressive hooks of pop, the laidback cool of soul music, and the optimistic outlook of gospel. Tying the package together is a multi-lingual artist who's never been afraid to break boundaries or challenge conventions." Jay-Way views himself as an outsider, an alien. Never conforming to standards or a "cookie-cutter" style but residing on an island of creativity all his own.
Innovation and progress are concepts missed widely across the CHH space. A space that’s populated to the point of a modern-day China. However, as we know, quality over quantity. Only a handful (or two) of artists are deemed cutting edge with Jay-Way at the forefront.
What It Sounds Like Island Forgotten solidifies Jay-Way’s grandiose aesthetic. He connects real-life situations such as love, faith, and obstacles while dialing into his adventures of the heart over creative soundscapes. Such sonic values include intertwining between hip-hop, pop-punk, EDM, afro-beats, and Caribbean vibes. The content is smothered in vulnerability while carefully navigating through concepts of acceptance, self-worth, faith, love and other connected emotional highpoints.
The 18-track project leaves little desire for a skip between tracks. The favorites I’ve connected with include “Stuck In My Head,” “Coolie,” and “Shawty, Goodnight” featuring Parris Chariz. Production credits include Dayme, BoogzDaBeast, and FNZ. The project includes featured verses by Parris Chariz, Marc E. Bassy, and Moe the Natural.
Jay-Way openly displays how he’s evolved stylistically and sonically since his beginnings nearly a decade ago in 2015. 808 drum loops, synthesizers, electric guitar riffs, and an erratic lyrical delivery define the overall sound exploration. It’s refreshing, yet experimental. It’s different to the point of evoking deep thoughts. Beauty remains the theme pulling together the compiled artistic output.
Spiritual Highlights Jay-Way is not restricted to genre boxes. He’s not stamped as a “Christian” this or that. He’s an artist which possesses a strong faith walk dealing with the obstacles of everyday life. His content is to aid believers in how to navigate relationships, love, break-ups and other related aspects of life. He’s able to promote hope and other characteristics of Jesus without repeating His Name overtly throughout tracks.
In the track “Coolie,” Jay-Way reminds listeners, “God got me.” It’s a declaration and a statement defying triumph in any difficult situation. If you’re looking for more theological-sound content, search artists such as Hulvey, Eshon Burgundy, Bizzle, and a handful of others. That’s not how Jay-Way decides to display his faith through his art. If you’re struggling while dealing with relationship problems and love doesn’t come easy, he has a few things to say related to those topics. Personally, it’s refreshing to have an artist finally discuss some of these real life situations through Christian eyes.
Best Song At almost the middle of this album, track ten is titled, “No, I’m Not Ok.” Across the Christian space, many artists from a multitude of genres have tackled this idea. Yes, we’re followers of Christ and know God as our Provider and Healer, but this life is difficult. It’s hard to navigate through daily life. Our flesh has moments of strength while the enemy attacks vividly at times.
Therefore, quite a few instances arise when we’re not okay emotionally. It’s a blessing artists also struggle with some of these same scenarios and talk through them on record. So, the content first is why I picked this track as my top choice. The sonic values throughout it didn’t hurt either. An electric guitar along with some tempo changes were ear candy. It’s a sound rarely heard from artists, especially done from a creative mindset.
Final Word Innovation is the one-word summary for Island Forgotten. Jay-Way is a nucleus of imaginative spurts of energy and emotion. His heart is exposed. He blends multiple genres not limited to hip-hop, rock, pop, and R&B. The soundscape throughout is like a blender without a cover spilling over with creative refreshment to the ears. Truly, a skippable track doesn’t exist as the near decade wait for a debut album was well worth the anticipation.
Buy the album on iTunesor stream Island Forgottenon Spotify.
