On the single “January,” Bayonne puts his vocals on full display. The song sends me into a trance-like state that envelopes me in its musical cloud. The artist’s melodies are the best part of this track. I hear everything from the country/folk pop of Kacey Musgraves to the folk rock band America to the layered synth experimentation of Panda Bear. The beauty of this track is that all of those could be accurate or completely wrong. It’s certainly open to interpretation, but also finds itself in a sweet spot of pop music serenity. Once again, an artist reminds me that the human voice is the greatest instrument when used and produced well.
There’s also a rich interior underneath the sheen of multi-tracked vocals and a dreamy arrangement. It’s hopefulness with a dash of tragedy. A joyful spirit with sadness lurking around every corner. Will the good days stick around? Or will the intrusive thoughts win out? “January” proves that just like the first month of the year, there’s always a chance that this next one could be better. Beyond all of the noise, there’s a calming feeling by the end. The mix of emotions becomes one solid color that turns bright. It might feel different for you, but Bayonne’s musical reverie doesn’t disappoint.
Take a look at the colorful visualizer for “January” below:
Written by Andy Hammersmith
