Swedish trip-hop troubadour Jay-Jay Johanson is gearing up to release his latest studio album Opium this summer, and Exclaim! has got your first listen to the new single "NDE."
According to a press release, the new record blends the smooth, caressing vocals we've come to expect from Johanson with "jacked up, heady rhythms that lift and carry the songs." Tackling contending themes of men his age like love, solitude, fatherhood and immaturity, the new set of songs poses questions rather than presenting impossible answers.
"NDE" is no different, exploring the idea of near-death experiences, although Johanson manages to make the titular events sound more soothing than scary. Gentle beats mix with the calming refrain of: "It's frightening, but it's so delightful" — putting the listener at ease, despite the dark subject matter.
Opium arrives in North America on June 16 through Le Plan, but you can listen to "NDE" in the player below, right now.
According to a press release, the new record blends the smooth, caressing vocals we've come to expect from Johanson with "jacked up, heady rhythms that lift and carry the songs." Tackling contending themes of men his age like love, solitude, fatherhood and immaturity, the new set of songs poses questions rather than presenting impossible answers.
"NDE" is no different, exploring the idea of near-death experiences, although Johanson manages to make the titular events sound more soothing than scary. Gentle beats mix with the calming refrain of: "It's frightening, but it's so delightful" — putting the listener at ease, despite the dark subject matter.
Opium arrives in North America on June 16 through Le Plan, but you can listen to "NDE" in the player below, right now.
