About this item

For Fans Of... Bewilderment - the feeling of being perplexed and confused - is the inspiration Mayer Hawthorne, Bobby Oroza, Burrito Eats, Holy Hive, The Dip. Bewilderment - the feeling of being perplexed and confused - is the inspiration behind Pale Jay's new album.

It's a soulful exploration of a family's gradual disintegration due to years of avoidance and miscommunication. During this difficult time, Pale Jay began to question the stories he had always lived with and re-examined his identity. The resulting work, Bewilderment, is his first full-length album, which strives to find answers to these questions and more. The album is set to release on 8/18/2023 on Karma Chief Records, a subsidiary of Colemine.

Pale Jay is a trained jazz vocalist and pianist, and he wrote, recorded, and produced all songs on the album, except for 'By The Lake', which is a collaboration with labelmates Okonski - Steve Okonski, Aaron Frazer, and Michael Montgomery. Pale Jay's music is influenced by a wide range of songwriters, including Labi Siffre, Carole King, and William Onyeabor.

'Bewilderment' is a seamless blend of Pale Jay's trademark dusty soul, slow disco, and Afrobeat, with string arrangements by Raven Bush adding an extra layer of magic to the beat- heavy productions. Pale Jay's debut LP is a captivating journey of self-discovery. Each song on Bewilderment tells a unique story, but they all share a common theme of personal growth and self-understanding. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: A blistering set of dusty neo-soul, airy groove-heavy lounge and jazzy percussion. The real kicker here is Jay's hugely evocative vocals, swimming with feeling and perfectly sitting atop the perfectly manicured instrumental backdrop.

TRACK LISTING

1. Preface
2. In Your Corner
3. Dreaming In Slow Motion
4. By The Lake
5. Bewilderment
6. My Dirty Desire
7. Vladimir
8. Don't Forget That I Love You