The genre of soul has been recognized for generations, spawning some of the most moving music to ever be put to tape. But like any genre, it must evolve and take on fresh faces looking to reinvent its most prominent moments and rewrite history. The future of soul is in good hands thanks to artists like Pale Jay, the anonymous multi-hyphenate whose lush debut introduced the world to his stunning falsetto that delivers glimmering melodies.
Adding a touch of grandiose orchestration, Pale Jay has carved a lane of his own in modern soul through effortless arrangements that swell into an explosion of futuristic vocals tinged with just enough nostalgia to evoke the warmth of an analog recording. This week, Pale Jay returns with his sophomore album Bewilderment, a short but sweet set of songs that follow his unique formula although everything feels elevated on this outing. For eight songs, Pale Jay sends you through a hurricane of sentimental soul with just enough flash and glamor to elevate his vocals without taking away the thing that makes his music so great; authenticity.
There is something that feels lifelike about the sonics Pale Jay produces and Bewilderment is filled with dancing harmonies and deep grooves that could only come from a place of pureness. The songs presented on his sophomore LP feel more personal than anything he has released in the past, adding a layer of reality to his dream-like musicianship. Despite the album’s brief run time, Pale Jay doesn’t sound rushed. There is no sense of urgency on this record as the artist pieced together a carefully selected tracklist that takes you through a cosmic journey of soaring string sections and gentle drum patterns. The pitter-patter of the drums on “In Your Corner” compliment the cascading melody of his vocals with a gorgeous bridge to tie everything together. Pale Jay sounds more fearless than ever on Bewilderment, allowing his music to evoke the feeling of free falling while still sounding honed and purposeful, a perfect recipe for some unforgettable music from the soul.
Throughout his sophomore LP, Pale Jay pens moving lyrics that amplify the pleasure of the simpler things. His words are chosen carefully and while on the surface they come off as blunt poetry, there is something palpable about every note sung on Bewilderment. The simplicity of his verses and hooks harken back to the early days of soul while still sounding present and personal. A moment like “Vladimir” emphasizes the longing of loving someone you may never have while the Okonski-assisted “By The Lake” has the artist painting a vivid picture of dropping a simpler lifestyle for the complications of a relationship. Pale Jay’s honest lyrics are matched with larger-than-life production, making the bulk of Bewilderment feel like diary entries from the artist. This touch of intimacy feels like the final piece to Pale Jay’s musical puzzle, allowing the artist to make the best music of his career.
Despite the briefness of Bewilderment, Pale Jay seems to have gotten everything off of his chest. This album plays like a deep breath of relief, a relaxing set of songs so personal the artist’s emotions jump right out at you and force you to pay attention to the nuances of the human experience.
