Unique songwriter with catchy music
Anyone who says good music is a thing of the past has simply stopped looking for it. All you have to do is dig a little deeper. New artists with plenty to give pop up out of the ground every single year. You know the song “All Time Low”, the irresistibly catchy hit with a unique sound? The artist behind that memorable single is the multi-talented Jon Bellion. Singer. Rapper. Song writer. College dropout.
His music is at once relatable and ethereal, ironic and wise. Bellion, who, by the way, co-wrote that 2012 Jason Derulo smash “Trumpets,” released a new studio album this past November, titled “Glory Sound.”
Categorizing “Glory Sound” into a genre is not an easy task. Existential lyrics that beg questions like, “What is life all about, anyway?” collide with party-worthy beats and orchestral melodies. It’s a little of everything, with an unexplainable appeal.
The 28-year-old musician evaluates what it means to be alive during the age of the Internet. He says, “No one cares if you’re happy, just as long as you claim it” in his song, “The Internet.” In “Conversations with My Wife,” he asks her if she will “still love me when my phone turns off” and says, “I don’t want to be some digital Jesus.” He calls into question everything about modern values.
Even though these tracks have a clear message and aim to provoke thought, they do not feel preachy. Instead, they feel like easy sing-alongs with catchy melodies and quintessential bass drops.
In the album’s other tracks, Bellion comments on his personal experiences—with romance, with relationships, with life. The lyrics of “Couple’s Retreat” could end any petty argument between romantic partners. He says, “I tried to change this, and you tried to change that/ But it’s just in our nature/ I desperately care, you’re hopelessly on me…” and then promises to “say sorry with my body” if she will let him dance with her. The track is definitely a personal favorite. It has everything from a lingering hook to an undeniable sex appeal.
While every track on the album is worth a listen, the most unique is “Let’s Begin,” a collaboration between Bellion, Roc Marciano, RZA, B.Keyz and Travis Mendes. The song dives a bit deeper into hiphop than the others. Bellion adds his own rap verses… and they are really good. For those who generally turn their noses up at rap, give this one a shot.
The lyrics are not just noise. Bellion opens up about the experience of becoming famous, the good and the not-so-good. He condemns the superficiality of the industry. He also criticizes the state of race relations in modern America, saying, “I spoke with Yahweh, he told me Jesus crafted us in/ Which means my brother’s my brother, it don’t matter the skin.”
Overall, “Let’s Begin” is a standout track on a standout album. This album perfectly represents Bellion as an artist – its tracks are unique, catchy, thought-provoking and, above all, criminally underappreciated. Jon Bellion is an emerging name in modern alternative pop that just might be on the brink of a swell in popularity. Or, at least, he will always have a place in my playlist.
