Lit Major is the project of Remy Josef (he/him), a queer CT-based artist who has been independently writing and releasing music for well over a decade. A self-described sad song singer, Remy balances life as a teacher with life as an artist, channeling deeply personal experiences into songs that feel unfiltered and human. As a friend of the Start-Track blog, this album lands with an added sense of familiarity, but As Seen On TV stands firmly on its own as a focused and emotionally honest release.
1. Intro / Interlude (E.A.S.)
The EP opens with American weather warning signals that slowly get louder and lead directly into the first song. It works as an introduction to the EP and sets the tone before any full instrumentation or vocals appear. The choice feels deliberate, immediately placing the listener in a space of unease and anticipation, priming the themes of anxiety and external pressure that run through the project.
2. “Organic Panic” (3:25)
The song starts with just guitar and vocals, letting the lyrics land very directly. The lines:
I’ve only been to the ER once in my adulthood,
I had a panic attack right outside of a Whole Foods –
I went to the walk-in but they said I shouldn’t go there –
I finally paid off the bill after 3 years
clearly poke at the state of US healthcare and how it entraps young people, while also tying into mental health.
Knowing that the song is based on a very real moment in Remy’s life and reflects his realization that he has generalized anxiety disorder gives the track even more weight. There’s a sharpness to the writing that feels intentional, subtly jabbing at the healthcare system while still staying grounded in personal experience rather than abstraction.
After the “10 miles” line, a playful synth melody comes in alongside the repeated vocal phrase “been caught in the middle of it.” I really like this moment. The lo-fi quality of the song works especially well when the drums drop out briefly, and the strings or pads come forward. That section highlights how playful the song feels even while dealing with very adult situations.
The mix feels warm, and I find myself singing along to the main line, “oooh I get caught in the middle of it.” It’s a very catchy and effective hook, and one that sneaks its way into your head long after the song ends.
3. “Small Boat” (4:18)
This track is led by plucked nylon-string guitar and poetic, sometimes operatic vocals. A bass line supports the guitar and vocals as the song moves into the next section, providing grounding for what is a very acoustic-led track.
The song draws inspiration from two very different but equally harrowing real-world events: migrants struggling at sea in search of a new home, and the illegal drone attacks on suspected drug boats off the coast of Venezuela, where lives are taken without any semblance of trial or due process. There’s a noticeable perspective shift halfway through the song that reinforces this duality, expanding the emotional scope without losing intimacy.
The harmonic elements guide the listener toward the beauty in the lyrics. When the kick drum enters about halfway through the song, along with the melodic guitar, it feels like the emotions are slowly being built up. The intensity of the vocals carries this progression. Sonically, it reminds me of something I might hear from Simon and Garfunkel, or maybe John Grant.
I really love the imagery in the lyrics, which focus heavily on the sea, tides, and the ongoing search for direction and purpose. My favorite lyrics are:
The night is dark but for the lantern
The map is gone but I think that I remember
We got no lead we got no commander
But we go in and on and on
Will the gates be open when we arrive
In order to see heaven must we die?
My favorite section is when the hi-hat drops in, and it feels like we’re deep into a journey of exploration. I also really enjoy the vibrato in the vocals and how it adds to the overall feel of the song. The group vocal harmonies are another highlight, giving the track a sense of shared humanity.
Overall
As Seen On TV comes across as a very direct and emotionally honest album. The songs balance heavy subject matter with thoughtful arrangements, and the production choices help keep things intimate rather than overwhelming. There’s a clear sense of lived experience here, and Remy Josef’s writing never feels detached from the realities it’s addressing. It’s a strong and focused release that rewards close listening.
Written by John Drifter (drifting.) (IG: @drifting.musically)
