JERK returns to some of their core influences, embracing vulnerability, and an authentic experience of the self on the forthcoming ‘Mood Swings’ album. The second single from the record ‘I Don’t Question You’, sees them team up with close friend and MC Ryan J, for a Dilla-meets Quasimoto style beat. Ryan perfectly channels the overarching themes of the album into poetic ciphers dealing with life’s pressure to answer to and appease others, advocating for choosing to fight for your own truth.
The upcoming album is an eclectic collection of pieces spanning varying compositional and production styles, captured on analogue instrumentation. Warm saxophone tones, glistening Fender Rhodes and cyclical beats encompass the project, with weaving synths adding to Jerk’s tapestry of sounds. Lead single ‘27’ set about introducing some of the themes at the core of the album, including trans-rights and gender identity, marking both Jerk’s age at the time of creating the record, whilst also putting a critical microscope to American lawmakers’ attempts to raise the age of consent for medical transitioning.
The project channels some of Jerk’s earliest influences, taking onboard the beatmaking sensibilities of J Dilla and Madlib, the Brazilian rhythms and textures of Hermeto Pascoal, and the uplifting sonics of Patrice Rushen and Earth Wind & Fire.
Jerk shares: “Mood Swings is a collection of 12 pieces reflecting on gender and mental health. 2022 was a year of political strife for transgender people in America, and a time where I was experiencing some intense emotions–dysphoria, derealization, grief, and romantic love and loss. I wanted to write music embracing this very authentic and vulnerable experience of self.”
Jerk is the brainchild of composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Kinney. Based in Brooklyn, NY, they explore the connection between jazz and hip-hop, with compositions blurring the lines between hip-hop beats and instrumental jazz compositions. Their music has found support from the likes of Huey Morgan on BBCR6, Reprezent Radio, Soho Radio, Jazz FM and more.
‘I Don’t Question You’ was released on Thursday 11th Apil via DeepMatter Records. Why not have a listen below…
New Lease Music 