Jay Kayle - Four

Jay Kayle

Four
self-released; 2015

3.7 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

I last heard of Jay Kayle when I reviewed his EP Two. Since then he has released more songs with his latest being Four. One thing I can say right up front is that things are improving in a lot of ways when comparing Four to Two and not all of it is subtle. 

The most noticeable improvement to anyone with a set of ears is his singing. He doesn’t sound as forced and just seems more relaxed with his delivery this time around. On top of that the production and recording quality has improved. His vocals sit inside the mix rather than on top of it. 

The general feel of these songs is aesthetically more pleasing to the ears. There is something softer and warmer about these songs and some of that may be because of reverb but also because of the way he strums his chords and the way he chooses to sing.

A highlight on the an album “Anhedonia.” Anhedonia, which translates into the inability to feel pleasure, seems to revolve around this topic. Kayle’s lyrics are original and tap upon ideas instead of directly stabbing at them. He sings, “Anhedonia, find a better face Anhedonia, find a better face I don't like the capture and I sure don't like the chase Anhedonia, find a better face.” The song is melancholy yet hopeful and benefits from sounds like lap steel and synths. 

The next song “Morning Call” is a bit more festive and another success for Kayle. I was humming the vocal melody the second time I heard it. “It Gets Hard” keeps the ball rolling with an emotionally resonant song and impressive vocal performance. His lyrics are ubiquitously relatable to anyone who experiences life. He sings, “It gets hard to find a reason to stay It gets hard to ignore mirrors saying ‘run away’ I've a motor in my pocket and a tank full in the car There's an open road ahead, it gets hard.” Kayle closes strong with “Little Suicides,” which has a bit of a Johnny Cash vibe. It features a kazoo and it surprisingly works very well.

There is not much more satisfying than seeing an artist evolve and improve and that's what you have here. Kayle is growing into his own.

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