IAMJJ – Moonshine (2024)
Inspired by life in its totality, singer-songwriter IAMJJ’s music is driven by irony and duality. While profoundness and contemplation belie his songs, a strong sense of straightforwardness and resolution exudes in the melodies. He also claims that if he “wasn’t making music that reminded me how shitty life can be, then I wouldn’t be able to enjoy being happy”; an ironic stance but totally making sense to find the bad and override it. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘Moonshine’.
On the heels of his EDM-influenced single ‘Extra Spicy Noodles’, Danish IAMJJ shifts to a softer, smoother, more flowing style in ‘Moonshine’. Joined by producers Søren Mikkelsen and Nick Foss, Jakob Stenfatt Jensen (also known as IAMJJ) immerses listeners in a kaleidoscopic, cinematic soundscape with ‘Moonshine’; kind of like knocking back a glass of moonshine feeling the richness run down your throat. Nostalgic and charming, a synth-pop tone breathes life into 80s pop… then again, a contemporary hit of electropop brings edginess to modern-day audiences.
Toe-tapping and charming, bold beats lead ‘Moonshine’ with shimmering synths twinkling across, but it is the underlying saxophone bringing an obscure sensuality to the track. While IAMJJ’s raspy vocals add gritty darkness to ‘Moonshine’, the execution ups the ante as he expresses the power of saying no with hidden sentimentality. IAMJJ explains:
“Many of my songs are written from a certain state of mind. ‘Moonshine’ was born in a moment where a liberating feeling came to me with the word “no” – a word with a negative connotation but with a life-affirming power if you dare to take it with you and actually use it… As cynical as it may sound, life is very much about saying no. About not just settling for less to pander to others but also about putting your own needs first to feel and enjoy what you truly deserve from the life we’re given…”
In addition to the single, IAMJJ released an official music video for ‘Moonshine’. You can view the video below and on his YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses lighting effects that can trigger migraines and/or seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
Find out more about IAMJJ on his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
Listen to more pop music on The Other Side Reviews Pop playlist:
