Producer/artist Just Levi’s latest album ALL OF WHO I AM is an exploration into the innermost parts of himself, from the ego, suppressed feelings, journey to self-awareness and the never-ending cycle of life. The 12-track self-produced body of work showcases his knack for crafting varied soundscapes with vivid storytelling of his experience as a young black man wading through the murky waters of the cesspool of life.
“I always often had problems telling my side of the story/don’t even know if I was comfortable getting help”.These poignant words set the tone for the introductory track “ARRIVAL” where he takes listeners back to his humble beginnings and the numerous events that shaped his outlook. Over the haunting and dark soundscape, he paints some intimate images like “I was 5 years old with the FUBU shirts and a pair of forces/I would watch people get jumped aside and thought it was just normal/And at 6 I learned expressing myself was only a burden and I brought all of that baggage with me when we moved straight to Georgia” which adds an extra emotional layer to his experiences. The result is a collation of childhood trauma that still lingers on as he proceeds to find his true North. The journey continues with the track “STORM” which is introduced by a solemn violin string and heartfelt spoken word anchoring on intrusive thoughts and inner battles. This leads to the guitar-driven “STABLE” featuring Luie G . The track dives into the unstable emotions swirling as he tries to reconcile the past with the present with the fear of losing it all. The arrangement is quite experimenatl and it slowly builds up to a frenzy with the singer closing it out with a smooth melodic performance. “EMPTY” is a pop-infused reflective tune made up of bouncy pop drums, bright guitar licks and an airy chorus to match Just Levi’s insightful songwriting.
“REFLECTION” is an aptly titled track that digs deep into Just Levi’s mind and the constant fear of disappointment and lack of direction. Over the sombre and soulful backdrop made up of airy textures and surreal pads, Just Levi expresses his desire for change and acknowledges his flaws. The track’s arrangement is built into different sections that allude to the constantly changing emotion range and his mental rigmarole. From the dark moody parts to the solemn soulful parts to the vocal breakdowns, audiences get treated to a feeling of uneasiness. “ROSE” is a short spoken word piece that centers around the resilient nature of the rose flower and how it persists through hard times while “HEAL” talks about the process of healing through facing one’s fears and constantly pushing through the rubble because success is found outside the comfort zone. The track features fellow artists Jeffrey Hill and Jay Activist who share their respective experiences dealing with trauma. Next is “SIGNS” featuring Nat James, a heartfelt dive into self-acceptance and accountability in relationships. The experimental production fuses dark pop aesthetics with a touch of cinematic elements.
The project closes out with “LONE”, and “DEPARTURE”, two tracks that help bring the project full circle. “LONE” shows Just Levi detailing his true self to the audience after a character confronts him on his loner ways. The final track “DEPARTURE” features singer Sinmidele whose soul-stirring vocals set the tone for the sombre guitar-driven track. Here, Just Levi pens an open letter to his partner detailing his flaws and wishes them well if they wish to fly away, figuratively speaking. Other notable tracks include the scenic and introspective “SELFISH” and the calming piano-laden “REALIZATION”.
Overall ALL OF WHO I AM, is chock full of relatable and heartfelt stories that audiences can tap into. His use of real-life experiences and vivid storytelling skills sure adds an extra emotional depth to the project but we must also commend his use of a nonconformist production style to bolster the overall theme.
Watch the official visualizer for ALL OF WHO I AM below
Stream on all DSPs here.
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