Like Big Mama Thornton and Sister Rosetta Tharp before her, New Jersey indie artist Rasha Jay is not afraid to defy conventions and dive headlong “into a world which has long been the domain of men,” she proclaims.
The lead single, “Don’t Revel,” from her new E.P., High Dive, is a transfixing track that speaks to deep emotions. Hard bass lines and trip-hop-like beats, together with keys and guitar, are nicely mixed so that her range-friendly vocals are not drowned out.
“It’s the only song on the E.P. that’s written about my personal experience,” Jay says. “I had been off and on with someone for many years, but I didn’t know how I really felt about it all.
“In the end, it was more of a blur. I couldn’t get excited about it, and I had to end it.”
Despite being the only personal song on the E.P., Jay’s lyrics are full of stories, especially about the ‘juicy center,’ as she calls it, of relationships. Her intimate, sincere vocal delivery is rough but inviting.
Regarding the interesting sonic textures of the song, Jay says: “I found a sound and I reversed it and it sounded like someone threw some guitars and violins in a blender.”
She adds that it was a last-minute addition to High Dive. Other standout tracks include the intense, haunting track, “Red Coat,” featuring a mean synth guitar riff; the remarkably soul-inspired “Imaginary”, and the smooth, intoxicating grooves and beats of “Strangeland,” plus the more rock-oriented title track.
The E.P. was written, recorded and mixed over the course of a year and a half. The producer and fellow musician, Katmaz, did an impressive job overall.
Jay possesses a strong DIY approach to her music with a distinctive, versatile voice that dances over insistent beats, bumbling basslines, and intricate guitar playing. She incorporates alternative, rock, blues, and soul into her songs.
While she may not be the conventional DIY/indie artist, she is a DIY/indie artist in every sense of the terms.
Born in the town of Owings, Maryland, she moved to New Jersey as a young child. From a young age, she was interested in music and had a natural talent for writing.
Jay has always been passionate about music of different genres since listening to her uncle’s record collection growing up.
Her music has been described as a “vibrant clash between Portishead and The Black Keys.” Her influences include Prince, Foo Fighters, and St. Vincent.
Click to listen to the E.P. on Soundcloud in order to truly appreciate Jay’s promise as an artist.