Directed by Nickii Kane, Jamaican newcomer Jaz Elise unleashes a visualizer for “Straying,” one of her personal favorites from her debut EP The Golden Hour. She lays it all on the line in this push and pull game of love.
She states, “Straying touches on those vulnerable inner feelings that we may not have the courage to say to someone we love – that we don’t want to lose them and that we notice there’s distance. It’s never easy to put yourself in the position to have someone reject you or accept you and that’s what this song is. I’m putting my feelings on the line. Here I am. Do you love me?” The other side is that I acknowledge that this is something I want and I’m being clear about that but I’m not going to wait around if things nuh shape up likkle and strengthen up. And that’s the lesson – be clear about what you want but don’t be afraid to have to bounce just in case you can’t get it.”
Watch “Straying” here: https://smarturl.it/Straying
The single is produced by Ziah .Push and Protoje and is a standout gem from Jaz Elise’s The Golden Hour EP. Throughout the 7-track release, Jaz delivers breezy confident melodies whether it be the self-loving opener “Elevated” or her recently released hit “Fresh & Clean” feat. Govana. The singer also practices a positive mindset in order to execute the vision on “Good Over Evil.” The latter part of The Golden Hour is filled with slow burns, allowing her soft sultry vocals and honest songwriting to float over spacious and thoughtful instrumentation. “Breathe” soothes the soul over light jazz and dub grooves. The EP’s infectious mix of beats are composed by a variety of In.Digg.Nation Collective’s go-to producers including IzyBeats, Natural High, J.L.L., iotosh, Ziah .Push and Protoje.
JAZ ELISE
Born Jasmine Taylor, Jaz Elise grew up with her parents and two older sisters. Her first introduction to music was singing in the church choir as a young child. Her father, a gospel musician who plays the organ, piano and guitar and creates compositions for their church choir, laid the foundation for Jaz’s musical aspirations. Even after graduating with a degree in Psychology from The University of the West Indies (Mona), Jaz still had a yearning to pursue the arts. She joined a local performing arts program, Quilt, where she honed her skills as a dancer and singer. At one of the showcases, she caught the attention of the young rising producer J.L.L.. The two promising creatives collaborated on her first two singles, “For You” (2018) and “Fresh and Clean” (2019). Later in 2019, she delivered the title track on the all-female riddim Rock & Groove, produced by Protoje and J Vibe. In 2020, she updated “Fresh & Clean” with a verse from dancehall sensation Govana. Jaz Elise is the newest member of In.Digg.Nation Collective’s roster. She joins Lila Iké, Sevana and Protoje in the label’s joint venture with Six Course Music and RCA Records. With only a handful of songs in her repertoire and an undeniable knack for fusing soul, R&B, reggae and dancehall, the aspiring singer steps into the spotlight this year with her debut EP The Golden Hour.
Listen to EP:
https://smarturl.it/
See what the critics are saying about The Golden Hour.
“Jamaican singer Jaz Elise is bringing her own unique brand of reggae and R&B to the world with her new EP The Golden Hour”
– Extra TV
“The Golden Hour is a hell of an introduction for Jaz Elise, and it’s a prime example of how much innovation has been happening within reggae recently”
– Brooklyn Vegan
“This debut is greatness, hands down…EP hums with a dynamic diversity that seems to become the brand identity of the In.Digg.Nation – the sound of 21st century Jamaica.”
– Reggaeville
– Okayplayer
“Impressive debut EP…future-sounding reggae-infused soul/R&B”
– KEXP
“Strong debut with dreamy and soulful R&B…her tone is so beautiful that she could sing from an economics textbook and still have you entranced”
– Glide Magazine
Jaz Elise
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