In case you missed it, Jason J.’s No Refuge EP is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Google Play, Soundcloud and more. The Guamanian singer-songwriter has made quite a name for himself within entertainment circuits after relocating to Los Angeles. Jason, a man of many talents, can be found running sound for shows like Man VS. Chef and touring around the country singing vocals in HIRIE.
No Refuge debuted earlier this summer and has been greeted with joy within the reggae community. A freshly squeezed sound straight out of SoCal, influenced by his native island upbringing, you do not want to sleep on this artist. The EP has 4 tracks — “Drunk Love”, “Harbors Closed”, Hazy” and “One Taste” — each with their own kind of vibe and specific lyrical direction.
A freshly squeezed sound straight out of SoCal, influenced by his native island upbringing, you do not want to sleep on this artist.
“Drunk Love” is a song about a deep pain in your heart. Some types of heartbreak take more time than others and, sometimes, we turn to substances to help numb that pain. When times are hard, when it seems that nothing will get better, alcohol is where we can go to warm our souls. Obviously, that isn’t the healthiest way to deal with our problems, but, hey, we’ve all been there!
“Harbors Closed” features a nice, soft reggae melody at the start, before diving straight into lyrics about following your dreams and how that path can lead to many different directions. If you do not stay of course, you might burn bridges you used to have or be met with “closed harbors”. Your path is full of individual tasks and responsibilities. The chorus states “Safe harbors are closed // Even when the storm approaches, won’t take me in”. It feels like the subject in the song is looking for peace, yet has been unable to find it.
“Hazy” is probably my favorite track on the EP. It has a light and breezy island feel, with melodies reminiscent of a 1970s sound. This is a love song about being consumed by the one you love and are with. That warm ooey-gooey feeling is almost dreamlike after a passionate romantic encounter. The track is about the experience of being left breathless and wanting more and is just a nice, overall musical experience.
“Hazy” is probably my favorite track on the EP.
“One Taste” has a feel-good dance vibe that, in a way, reminds me of Iration’s Automatic album. Yet, I feel like that description doesn’t do justice to the original sound of this artist and song. It makes you want to dance and features a message that despite circumstances in our lives, love is a choice everyday. Sometimes we let love waste away before our eyes because we didn’t take care of it or perhaps cared to other things we thought were more important at the time. By the time we get a chance to breathe and look up, everything changed.
Here’s a big shout out to Jason J. for giving us an exclusive on the album to check it out and review it here today! Be sure to check him on tour now with HIRIE, finishing up their national tour with two more shows on the west coast tonight in San Diego. For more on Jason J, visit the links below.
Purchase or stream ‘No Refuge’ EP:
Track listing:
- Harbors Closed
- Drunk Love
- Hazy
- One Taste
Share this article
or
Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
Get music updates in your inbox