Dexter Francis Mason – J1 (2021)
Not all love stories are happy and there are times when one person wants more from the relationship than the other is able to give. These situations have been taken by Dexter Francis Mason and turned into his single ‘J1’. Filled with a yearning for something in a relationship, he contrasts this with the knowledge that the other person is unable to give you what you desire.
The single is the first from his upcoming debut album which reflects on isolation, yearning and disillusionment. While Mason was born into a family of classical musicians and has experience playing New York City jazz clubs, he is taking a more pop approach. With a touch of Frank Ocean and James Blake, the single wraps you up in late-night reflections.
‘J1’ opens with this beat that pulses through you like a heartbeat. Over the steady heartbeats are vibrating tones and clapping notes that create an intense and closed-in feeling. As the smoother higher notes add a soulful and slightly RnB vibe to the music, the closed feeling opens up. The melody is all reflective thoughts that you keep inside as if you are afraid to voice them because of what they might cause. The overall flow of the music has a wonderful night time feeling to it like the twinkling of stars or neon city lights in the early hours of the morning.
Mason’s vocals breathe into the soundscape with a whispered confession in the first verse. He effortlessly sets the emotional scene of the track with a tender contrast of delicacy and resilience. On the chorus, there is a layered vocal approach that enhances the duality of the single. You are filled with a yearning for more only to be washed with the understanding that this is not coming. It is a very interesting take on emotions and thoughts that many people can relate to.
Dexter Francis Mason delightfully balances emotions through the vocals of ‘J1’ while washing you with a rich soundscape. With a late-night sound to the melody, he places you in an intimate space that allows you to contemplate the lyrics and feel the emotions of his performance. It is a very nuanced performance full of longing and acceptance of never getting what you want from another person.
Find out more about Dexter Francis Mason on his Instagram and Spotify.
