Jean-Mikhael – The Deal
Jean-Mikhael releases 5 acoustic tracks back-to-back ahead of 40 date UK tour commencing March 25th.
Full acoustic EP available 1st March
Jean-Mikhael released the acoustic version of “Every Little Thing” to support the studio-version of the EP (original EP released 9 Nov) ahead of the upcoming release of completely new material April 26.
Says JM “putting together an acoustic version of my EP ‘The Deal’ was a way of me giving a little bit more insight into what the meaning of my songs were. Making listeners really hear what I’m saying with a raw emotion coming through.”
Four months after his top-10 iTunes charting debut EP, Jean-Mikhael (JM) returns with an acoustic take on the original. Between recording sessions for his next EP and reuniting with the cast of his childhood role as young Michael Jackson in London’s Thriller LIVE, JM found time for several radio interviews and live acoustic performances. These experiences resulted in well-oiled, yet much more intimate, acoustic remakes of his songs and became JM’s raison d’etre to crystallize them into recorded form.
Combining soaring vocals and Mexican-born Rob Webb’s flamenco-influenced Spanish guitar, this acoustic EP clearly pushes the newcomer in a pop direction. Anchored by Rob’s steady, yet intricate playing Jean-Mikhael was free to showcase his multi-octave range. His stunning falsetto is particularly evident on “Why You So Mad” and the Prince-influenced “2 Time Thing”, which this time lands closer to Nashville than its native Minneapolis.
Releasing each track individually allows JM’s growing fanbase time to digest each record for its unique fingerprint. The human touches in these recordings have also been retained as occasionally the ending of a session, or a word of encouragement can be heard. “Senorita” features a host of cameos from producers and instrumentalists and the layering of hand claps, whoops and shouts, shifts the needle right into flamenco. On “Deal,” Jean-Mikhael passionately asks his partner to “tell him what’s the deal” between them, over blues-influenced guitar.
“Every Little Thing”s hypnotic drum-like first-verse and beautiful vocal melodies combine with alternating driving chords and lightly-picked arpeggios. Additionally, the visual for Every Little Thing, shot by London’s Red Monstar, is the perfect combination of winter-wear and autumn leaves, juxtaposed against the lush green of the lake-side location.
A recent 2-day pre-run of his upcoming UK school and university tour saw JM’s Spotify streams jump 1000% and his Instagram following raise by 20%. Excitement is building in anticipation of the upcoming 6-week tour to support his second EP release.
After a half-year that saw Jean-Mikhael headline People’s Day festival, two Sofar London shows and perform at The Ned Music Mondays supported by a full band, this anglo-franco BRIT School graduate’s star is surely rising.
SOCIAL
http://www.instagram.com/TheJeanMikhael
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