The Secretly Canadian Newsletter

Multi-talent Wesley Joseph returns today with an evocative new single, “HIATUS”. The newest track marks the first taste of fresh music for 2023 and is included on the kaleidoscopic GLOW project, set for release on February 17th.

HIATUS” is forward-facing and steeped in rich sound-design, skittering drum production and downcast chords lay beneath Joseph’s somber lyricism. An exemplary piece of music, it starts off sounding like a late-night walk through a haunted city before building to a cathartic minor-key peak, once again showcasing this ascending artist’s depth and character, artfully pacing between hard-hitting bars and soul-baring moments of falsetto. The new single arrives following Joseph’s recent COLORS session.

Wesley details in his own words: 

“Hiatus is the narrative and conclusion of growing pains, a teenager talking to his future self and his future self talking back. I started making the beat for the song in my old bedroom last summer with Emil – chopping up samples Lexxx had made on his Bronze software. I then took the song in its infancy to Leon Vynehall – we had multiple long nights at his studio together fleshing it out, and with each hour that went by it felt more significant and substantial.

I freestyled the first verse, and found that I’d actually written the most part of it back in Walsall years ago. The perspective is from my angrier and darker teenage self, caught in a small town and needing an escape. It felt like a time capsule moment, and gave me the context to write the second verse as I feel in the present – clearer and more empowered.

Sam Beste came by to play some beautiful synth chords and piano on the song, and Dave Okumu’s guitars gave us the final sparkle. Once the contrast of both verses felt right musically and lyrically the song was finished. Recording a COLORS session for the song was a brief but fun 24 hour experience. Every time music allows me to see the world it’s an energizing thing but this was a particularly humbling experience.”

STREAM/LISTEN TO “HIATUS” NOW

HIATUS” follows the release of the singles “MONSOON”, (masterfully produced in collaboration with A.K Paul) and  “COLD SUMMER”. Both will feature on GLOW, eight songs of love, loss, anxiety, and joy about coming of age at a time of unprecedented change. Showcasing his range across songwriting, performing, and production—not to mention his flawless transitions between singing and rapping, between character studies and raw emotional honesty—it’s a stunningly beautiful work that makes it clear Joseph’s on the path to becoming a world-changing talent.

PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE GLOW

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