Anthony J Milan – The Lion and the Blue Jay (2023)
When we left singer-songwriter Anthony J Milan, he was taking us on a journey of intricate jazz in ‘Hell 1’. Skip ahead a month and the US-based artist is back with his complex musical gymnastics in ‘The Lion and the Blue Jay’. Following the singles ‘Anyone Else’, ‘In Need of Conviction’ and ‘Hell 1’, ‘The Lion and the Blue Jay’ is the fourth track in the lead-up to his highly anticipated full-length album That Is The Question.
Intrigued by various musical genres since his youth, Milan went through several phases enjoying the sounds of reggae, hip hop, classic rock, funk and folk; however, it was jazz that won his heart. While ‘Hell 1’ sent a smooth jazz sound into our brains, ‘The Lion and the Blue Jay’ adopts a more folk-inspired style. Embracing an acoustic soundscape, a charming guitar matches drums with Milan’s rich vocals travelling across the arrangement in a conversational tone. Yet, Milan’s love for jazz cannot be denied with the incorporation of jazz piano and saxophone bringing an infectiousness to the choruses. Don’t forget the strings lurking beneath the melody bringing a classical edge to the song.
Simplicity lies at the core of ‘The Lion and the Blue Jay’ with the acoustic folk strumming along but Milan’s versatility shines through. Not only does the instrumentation take us on a journey from folk to jazz but Milan’s means of bringing the story to life through instruments is awe-inspiring. Milan explains that “this song tells the story of a budding relationship between a lion and a blue jay. As their relationship progresses, they both learn how to let go of their fears and to learn a new kind of love.”
The drums and guitar act as a heartbeat setting the stage for the lion and the blue jay. The underlying strings offer a sliver of hope. The piano cuts in with building tenderness. Then, bam, the crash of horns and Milan’s toe-tapping vocals see the budding relationship mature into something sensational. Once again showing his prowess as a musician, ‘The Lion and the Blue Jay’ is a beautiful tale executed in a masterful way.
For more from Anthony J Milan, check out his official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
