musicneighbors

Take a Journey with Jay Ammo in His EP, “Red”

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 16:39:40 GMT

The new season is a great reason to make and keep resolutions. Whether it’s eating right or cleaning out the garage, here are some tips for making and keeping resolutions.

In Red, Jay Ammo delivers everything that we love about R&B - smooth, honest, and atmospheric - with his own experimental flair. With each track, listeners are invited to embark on a cathartic journey, navigating love and loss while finding solace in the lessons learned along the way.

Give Red a listen here.

Ammo comes out of the gate with raw and emotional lyrics in "Drunk (Interlude)", with his soulful vocals and stripped-back acoustic guitar fusing seamlessly for a fresh sound that can be traced back to his Clarksville roots. In the second track, "Parachute", we can feel the internal strife in the verses pleading for requited love, a nostalgic theme in R&B. Jay brings us to an emotional apex with the irresistible beat weaved through "Counting my days", and "The Blues" melds violin and melodic keys for a dramatic and old-school sound.

You’ll Probably Like Jay Ammo if You Like…

Frank Ocean’s falsetto, Ed Sheeran’s guitar, and Post Malone’s grit.

He describes his sound as heart-felt and warm with some edge.

Photo by: @watchthethronemedia

Coming Up Next

You can find Jay playing local shows around Clarksville and at NashHouse and The Row. Don’t miss his next album releasing soon, where he’ll jump into storytelling and incorporate a more singer-songwriter feel into his dynamic sound.

Jay’s Local Music Recommendations:

Players On “Red”

Mariduhkid - Producer

Follow Jay on Socials

Multi Ultra Releases New Single “Yes or No”

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 16:39:40 GMT

With their most recent release, “Yes or No”, Multi Ultra takes us on a buzzy synth-rock fueled journey through those pesky everyday predicaments that leave us having to make up our mind over one thing or another. As soon as the song kicks off, you are enshrined in the fundamental heartbeat of the song that makes you instantly want to drop what you’re doing and dance your face off like it’s your only job in shameless style and finesse!

Lead singer, Derrick Wesley says, “We’ve been playing in clubs and discovering how much people react to rock bands, but they also want to dance. I wanted to write a rock song that we could dance to without being ingenuine. Nolan even played a killer synth solo on it! There’s a bit of nostalgia in “Yes or No” for me because it was inspired by the indie bands that played the soundtrack to our youth. The lyrics are kind of a letter written to myself, “Yes or no? Are you gonna go for this with all your might or be careless?” Our vote is a resounding ‘yes, go for it!’ as we eagerly await to see what comes next from this talented group of musicians!

You’ll Probably Like Multi Ultra if You Like…

The raw energy of Cage the Elephant, rock sensibilities of The Killers, electro-pop sounds of Phoenix, moody vocals of Franz Ferdinand, and dancey beats of Two Door Cinema Club. Derrick says of their sound, “Our music is energetic and explosive. It’s rock music with heart and soul. We want the listener to have a good time on the first listen, but really get the lyrics on the second listen.”

Without a doubt, Multi Ultra never fails to please with their dynamic and upbeat tunes that leave an air of nostalgic familiarity lingering masked by unique and modern sounds of what’s trending in the scene. This band somehow captures their energetic live performance in the studio, which in itself is a feat worthy of admiration because their live show is inspiring and something to behold. Lucky for us, this is their 6th single in a string of releases since the band's debut in 2021 and there’s more to come!

The Story Behind the Name

As for the band's unique yet catchy name, Derrick states, “ The name Multi Ultra came together during a word game as a writing exercise. Take 2 unrelated words and put them together to make a new meaning. Multi meaning versatile, or multidimensional. Ultra meaning beyond.“ We can’t think of a more suited way to explain the range of sound and feeling they bring us

Coming Up Next

The Halloween-themed release show for “Yes or No” is slotted for Oct 28th at The Basement @ 9pm with support from Matt Sahadi and Year of October. Be sure to GET TICKETS now!

Additionally, be sure to follow them on social media as we’ve heard they’ve been writing and recording a lot of new material and more amazing tunes will be dropping in the near future.

Derrick’s Nashville Music Recommendations:

“Nashville’s music scene is thriving! Of course there’s country music, but there’s a ton of other cool genres too. There’s rock bands like True Villains , Pepper Said , and The Reveal . R&B like Jarren Blair and Julia Cannon . But also sick jazz artists like Bee Taylor. ”

Players On The Single “Yes or No”

Vocals: Derrick Wesley
Guitar, Synth, BGVs: Nolan Brown
Bass: Chris Bevacqua
Drums: Chrystian Kaplan
Produced by: Tim Craven

Follow Multi Ultra on Socials

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok | Spotify

Header Photo by: Cassandra Riley Photography

Jyou Goes All In with “Living On the Edge”

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 16:39:40 GMT

From the initial melodic piano opening paired with poignant lyrics of “ Can’t Believe ”, the latest album from Jyou , " Living On the Edge " aims to be a journey through raw emotions that keeps its listeners lured in and captive for the whole trip. He explains the narrative of the album, “The story is about a young man (me) struggling to find his identity, which ultimately takes a toll on his mental health.”

After the passing of his brother closely followed by a serious car crash in 2021, Jyou is no stranger to the grief, anxiety, and depression that can come with life’s experiences. However, throughout the autobiographical album, it becomes apparent that he seems to have learned that while life can often be the hardest teacher, what we’re able to make from its lessons is our greatest strength. Living On the Edge speaks for itself as a matured production sophomore album from the artist, and goes all in on capturing the essence of coming into adulthood and the turmoil it can bring as well as the gratitude of being able to move forward to bigger things.

Subsequent to the opening track, the seemingly bright and cheery beat of “ Brokeboi ” (the album’s first single) is juxtaposed with lyrics full of raw vulnerability and self-doubt yet still seemingly filled with an air of optimism that all comes with trying to make your way in the music industry. When it comes to his musical efforts Jyou explains, “I always used to write raps with my cousins, but freshman year I did a work-study with an after-school program. I helped kids in a studio with recording projects and making their art. Seeing the joy in their faces and how it reflects their process really sparked something in me. Made me want to feed that kid in me again.” We certainly are glad that he made this choice as his talent and knack for flawlessly navigating through tough topics while composing quality music makes us proud to have him in Nashville’s music community.

The heavy-hitting follow-up and latest single from the album, “ At What Cost? ” comes in bass-laden, moody, and angst-ridden with the questioning of whether the outcome of our actions is worth the consequences. In a quick flip, the upbeat start to “ Handle ” complete with a playful-sounding chorus quickly takes a darker tone as it deals straight on with the heavy topic of suicidal thoughts. The song is told through the narrative of attending therapy sessions giving it an extra layer of vulnerability and a sense of losing control.

Moving on to the aptly titled, “ Full Circle ”, we’re introed in by a motivational speech accompanied by a bluesy guitar lick and quickly driven into a vulnerable, raw, and dark story that is able to remain tinged with zeal. Playing off that momentum the album's second single, “ Nest ” starts off with a strong focus on the lyrical narrative layered in self-doubt but forward progression that brings growth and reassurance when the refrain hits with a welcome tone of brightness.

Going full force into the hook from the start with “ Grip n’ Clutch ”, we’re brought into a moody R&B number with a slowed-down flow that feels slightly disoriented, yet as though our protagonist is back in control. Progressing into “ Battle ‘99 ” we’re brought to an ominous track filled with distorted vocals that bring an introspective story laced yet again with self-doubt but partnered with a pep talk that drives the story forward. Jyou states that he wants listeners to take away from the album, “That you aren’t alone in this journey and that a moment doesn’t define you, it’s all about how you react and build off each moment.”

Coming back into the light and jazzy end of things instrumentally with “ Backkk ”, we’re brought into the journey of processing trauma while setting sight on moving forward. Closing out the album is “ Restored ”, which is complete with a dancy jazz beat accompanied by R&B vocals that leaves the listener feeling uplifted and positive once more yet leaves us on a minor chord. Perhaps foreshadowing even greater things to come? We can only assume so with how solid and sure-footed the entirety of this album is.

You’ll Probably Like Jyou if You Like…

The conscious and introspective stylings of Kendrick Lamar, the catchy hooks of Childish Gambino, the conversational lyricism of Vince Staples, and the blend of jazz and R&B elements with the unique beats of Smino.

Jyou’s Nashville Music Recommendations:

K.O.N. (Trey Gibson) & Ashley EMJ

Players On “Living On the Edge”

Produced by: Nobody’s Home: the trio of Greg Walton, Jackson Thatcher, Jack Keller
Trey Gibson & WowJus7in on “Handle” production
Trey Gibson featured on “Brokeboi”
Ashley EMJ as a feature, writer, and vocalist on “Restored” & “Full Circle”
Psilent Killer writing credits on “Full Circle” & “Backkk”
Chuck Indigo featured vocalist on “Backkk”

Coming Up Next

Jyou’s collective, Inner Circle (@inn.circle) is hosting a benefit concert showcase Sunday, March 26th at The East Room called ‘For Her'. Complete with an all-women line-up and a portion of the profits going to The Mother & Daughter Experience, a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to cultivate generational health by promoting the unyielding, sacred bond between mother and daughter.

Additionally, be on the lookout for some new singles dropping next month! We’ll be eagerly awaiting to hear what Jyou taking a step back from living on the edge has in store for us.

Socials

https://jyou.webflow.io/

Photos by: @ufilmme | @rescuepackmyles

musicneighbors

Take a Journey with Jay Ammo in His EP, “Red”

You’ll Probably Like Jay Ammo if You Like…

Coming Up Next

Jay’s Local Music Recommendations:

Players On “Red”

Follow Jay on Socials

Multi Ultra Releases New Single “Yes or No”

You’ll Probably Like Multi Ultra if You Like…

﻿ The Story Behind the Name

Coming Up Next

Derrick’s Nashville Music Recommendations:

Players On The Single “Yes or No”

Follow Multi Ultra on Socials

Jyou Goes All In with “Living On the Edge”

You’ll Probably Like Jyou if You Like…

Jyou’s Nashville Music Recommendations:

Players On “Living On the Edge”

Coming Up Next

Socials

The Story Behind the Name