By Charlie Maybee
James Francis King is back with a new laid-back contemplative single titled “alive,” which sports a steady flow of breathy rhymes. The Belgium based R&B artist channels the rhythmic specificity of rap against the ethereal backdrop of cascading synthesizers and drums allowing for a smooth, undeniably cool sound.
When considering the underlying message of the song, King writes: “If ‘alive’ is about anything in particular, it’s about having the confidence to say, ‘I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.’ About knowing your worth, and not being afraid. Feeling alive.” There’s something luxurious about this specific take on being alive; he sits back and takes his time basking in the groove.
The chorus has the expansive exhilaration of diving into a deep pool of water, as King sings “And we take it all in stride / Tell ‘em there’s no place to hide / Are we feeling so alive?” He takes a moment to register his feelings in a way that’s spacious and gracious. The rollercoaster thrill of being alive (symbolized by the shift in lyrical speed between the verse and chorus) is only worth it if there is time to retrospect so that you can live that moment a million times over in your memory.
“alive” is available on major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and YouTube. Follow our Alchemical Weekly Spotify Playlist for more great music featured on the site.
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.
