Jai Paul
“Track 7 (Crush)”
Jai Paul (out this year on 4AD)
I can’t remember an artist who has sustained such a massive buzz this long (3 1/2 years) off this little material (2 songs), especially when you consider the fact that he’s done exactly zero recorded interviews, released very few photos, and has seemingly never performed live. That said, Jai Paul shut down the blogosphere last weekend, when a mysterious version of his long-awaited debut album was uploaded to Bandcamp (later, it was found to be leaked). It only takes a few spins to see what all the buzz is about. Simply put, it was probably the most fascinating album I’ve heard this year, even in demo form.
Once I found out it was a leak, I decided not to write about it or listen to it much, not wanting to spoil its proper release on 4AD later this year. However, I made an exception for this devastating cover of late 90’s jam “Crush” by Jennifer Page. I have a particular affinity for this track — due to the original’s prominent placement on a mixtape made for me by my first girlfriend (cool story, bro) — but the Rayners Lane-based vocalist/producer takes it to unfathomably dope levels, pillowtalking all Prince-ish over delicious satin sheets of synth. It’s the only track I’m letting myself listen to, apart from the previously released gems “BTSTU” and “Jasmine,” mostly because I know I’ll never get sick of it. FUH-KING BRILLIANT.
And just because it’s magic, here’s Jennifer Page’s original video.
