Jayda G returns with her first EP since 2019’s Significant Changes, and the project highlights the Canadian-born musician’s continuous growth across two memorable originals and two self-remixes that carry just a bit more oomph.
The new release, titled Both Of Us / Are U Down, sees Jayda further dig her feet into that adorned sweet spot between classic house moods and the swelling grooves found in more modern deep house productions. “Both Of Us” lives and dies by its classic shuffling house chords, and is one of the more inspired takes on a genre that is sometimes riddled with drab approaches. What makes it so lively and fun, however, are the dynamics built on top of the song’s foundation of house chords. Tempo shifts, swelling bass lines, and a touching vocal invigorate “Both Of Us.”
“Are U Down” brings a more somber style to Jayda G’s sound, but manages to find its own beauty in accepting the idea that not every track, or every day for that matter, will be full of vibrance and color. In all, the tonal dichotomy audible on Both Of Us / Are U Down represents an artist who isn’t afraid to dive into and explore dance music beyond the club, and this approach pays dividends.
The EP also pairs each of its original tracks with a own club-ready remix, neither of which stray far from the source material, but nevertheless spruce up the respective releases with a touch more funk and energy. Without a single weak offering across its four compositions, Both Of Us / Are U Down, isn’t just one of Jayda G’s strongest showings yet, but also arrives as a contender for the title of one of the strongest electronic EPs of 2020 to date. Both Of Us / Are U Down is out now Ninja Tune.
Featured image: Lou Jasmine