By Charlie Maybee
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Richmond, Virginia-based electronic singer-songwriter, CJ Temple, is staring 2022 off strong with the release of her new single “I Am You Are Me,” which continues to tease the release of her debut album Smoke (due to come out on January 28).
With this ballad, Temple catches ethereal vibes within the bubbling bass, echoing guitar, and lovely harmonies, which gradually build with symphonic strings that swell the composition into a more cinematic realm. There’s a daydreaming sensation to the song, as if you were gazing off at a picturesque sunset on the horizon’s cusp while deep in thought.
“Did you forget that I am you / And you are me” she sings toward the end of the first chorus, “Cause when I gave you my heart / This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be.” This retrospective turn begins to gain momentum as the drive picks up near the end of the song, turning melancholy into hope. It’s the kind of emotive music that feels good despite the sad lyrical content.
Hot on the heels of her previous releases (the upcoming albums titular single “Smoke” and “This Game,”) Temple has demonstrated a strong propensity for songwriting that is equal parts thoughtful and powerful. There is no doubt that the full album’s release will continue to up the ante as Temple poises herself a nice long career as a solo artist. Be sure to keep an eye out for it later this month.
“I Am You Are Me” is currently available only on YouTube. This track has been added to our Alchemical Weekly YouTube Playlist.
Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Charleston, South Carolina who currently teaches with the Dance Program at the College of Charleston. His primary work as an artist is with his performing collective, Polymath Performance Project, through which he makes interdisciplinary performance art that centers tap dance as the primary medium of expression and research. He also currently plays rhythm guitar for the Charleston-based punk band, Anergy, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
