A Constant Charade [LP] (Ochre Vinyl)

Elujay - A Constant Charade [LP] (Ochre Vinyl)

With A Constant Charade Oakland artist and producer Elujay removes the mask from his multifaceted genre-crossing craft. One of the most talented singer-songwriters in the Bay Area (Hypebeast) makes his solo debut on the art-forward indie label drink sum wtr with a risk-embracing LP that follows nearly a decade of distinct work in the contemporary pop landscape. He sees his style as a fusion of unexpected flairs: R&B stirred up with rhythms drawn from yacht rock sophisti-pop dancehall Al Jeel Lovers Rock and the tones of his Trinidadian roots. He pushes the sound outward in various directions on A Constant Charade a dynamic collection marked by vulnerability and ambition. Themes touch on social cues behavioral loops and the ways we perform for others just noticing how I feel when Im around people he says. Whether Im code switching or acting differently¦we all do it its a charade. With his signature croon and strongest arrangements to date joined by a cast of collaborators and co-producers Elujay cuts through the games to get real. _x000B__x000B_Recorded in various locations over a three-year period A Constant Charade caps a breakout 2025 that started with the second installment of GEMS IN THE CORNERSTORE from JEMS! his dsw-signed project with J. Robb. Like GEMS the new album leans further into the influences of Caribbean music and leftfield electronic from dance to ambient and a dozen strains in between. I think it's important to just notice that these people who you work with kind of give credence to new sounds that you find says Elujay. He credits much of Charades nostalgic quality to Nicholas Creus hes a jazz guitarist and huge fan of The Police and yacht rock hes just all over this record. As well as longtime collaborators Martin Rodrigues Jaden Wiggins and Ben Yasemsky whom Elujay has known since childhood. Benji is just a silent killer great guitarist producer and finisher always at the 11th hour tidying everything up. When it comes to working with others I dont have an ego about it its all about: the best idea wins. At the end of the day its for the people we just want to make the best music possible. _x000B__x000B_Album opener "Rogue Heart" finds Elujay floating above a breakbeat; his flow skitters over the hook detailing the records central message. Its about finding myself through different partners and different situations¦I was wearing this mask for somebody and I realized that my heart wasnt fully in it. How you can kind of lose yourself in someones aura. He takes the metaphor a step further on "Flotilla" likening love to submersion literal bodies of water. Being scared of commitment but knowing its okay to dive into something. Sonics mirror the feel with loose fluid guitar lines and a pulsing beat. _x000B__x000B_The tempo drops for Hyundai a downtempo mode where Elujays velvety vocals come to the fore. Backed by bass guitar piano and saxophone he spins lines about that person in your life that gives you that boost you know like keeps you going. Because they have conviction and confidence in what they do and you can lean on that in times of self-doubt. On the smooth falsetto jam Circles he outlines the shape of looping routines and interpersonal performance. Its in these passages that Elujay reveals glimpses of his true self behind the stylish exterior. _x000B__x000B_He delivers the airy and poignant late album highlight Anjeli with serpentwithfeet in their second duet following 2022s Circumvnt. Directed to angel number nine the two artists trade verses on the sobering flipside of promiscuity a visceral sense of solitude set to synth chords. I don't know how he does it but his vocals¦bro is just a wizard._x000B__x000B_A Constant Charade ends on the jazzy ballad Stereo Blasting crossing hypnotic instrumentation with one of Elujays most daring performances. I was in my room stereo blasting it took a while to let down your guard he sings as percussion comes crashing down on each syllable of the chorus. A fitting place to close an album as adventurous as it is intimate.