I have been listening to J Clu for a number of years now. I cannot quite remember the year exactly, but it was around the time when the new wave was transitioning into the game. He was part of an elite crowd of Cape Town-based artists at the time, and he stood out because of how he chose to articulate himself on songs. He has a distinct rap style where he expertly balances singing and rapping. In terms of music terminology, we call that melodic rap. In all honesty, there are very few artists I would put in front of him when it comes to melodic rap. However, he is someone whose music hasn’t quite translated to commercial success despite being a high-calibre artist. I guess that may be the reason why he released his latest effort, IT’LL MAKE SENSE SOON.
The sound
I think the production is perfectly suited for me. It exists in a downtempo plain without sounding pedestrian. The production has the cinematic air to it, but it’s not cinematic in the dramatic sense. The production is characterised by bouncy but downtempo basslines surrounded by elements such as synths, keys and more. Credit must be given to J Clu because he has a deep understanding of what sort of production makes him unique. He performs in tandem with the production. It’s almost as if he and the production are one. There is a uniformity in the production without it sounding like one long song. IT’LL MAKE SENSE SOON has a cohesive sound that lends itself to the theme of the album.
Subject matter
Now, I am talking as a fan of music and not as a music critic. I love it when there is lyrical depth to a musical offering. It is the reason I connect with an artist. Having lyrical depth allows me to be able to categorise the artist. I know what mood I need to be in to enjoy what is being said. J Clu really opens up on IT’LL MAKE SENSE SOON. He touches on self-belief, purpose and the various emotions one experiences when contemplating those topics.
A standout line comes on the opening song of the album, ‘SOLO DOLO’, when he says, “If I talk to God imma make it// Second place is not an option.” That line pretty much sums up what the album is about. It’s about recognising your path and accepting the ups and downs that come with it. It’s easy to compare yourself to another person, but life is about accepting that we all have different paths. That’s why I love this album.
X-factor
Usually when I review an album, the X-factor is something I don’t touch on in the sound or the subject matter sections of the review. But in all honesty, the X-factor for J Clu is a combination of the sonics of the album, the subject matter and how he brings it all together. Oftentimes, artists over-index on the lyrics, or they purely focus on making something that sounds good but has no lyrical depth. J Clu hits the sweet spot on this album. The subject matter is clear, but he does it without compromising the sound of it. In other words, J Clu manages to pack meaning into the track while still making a good song. You get the best of both worlds. If you are someone who loves how a song sounds and don’t care for lyrics, then you can enjoy this album. On the other hand, if you are someone who hooks onto every word in a song, then you will also enjoy this album. It sits in the sweet spot of lyrical depth and song-making.