East London's J Appiah Shares New Single ‘ONE THIRTY AM.'

Hackney based artist J Appiah releases new experimental offering ‘ONE THIRTY AM.’ A six minute slow cooker that is a first glance at the new soloist role he’s stepping into

His first release since 2021 ‘ONE THIRTY AM.’ Is the coming together of sounds of electronic elements, jazz and soul that live and breathe creating a sensuous atmosphere.

Raw and vulnerable, intimacy is created through live instrumentation and the East Londoner’s low soulful vocals that together is simply immersive and full of depth. A comforting Rhythmic basslines, is joined slowly by gentle piano chords and a electric guitar that styles out with improvisation.

The beat is produced through the combined efforts of J Appiah and ferg. Alan Dobson mixes it to blur the sounds together into a cohesive form, however risks are taken with the cinematic production and the enlistment of live instruments.

The Londoner does well to capture the inconsistency and uncertainty life and how it bleeds into of being in a relationship, how it affects your partner as well as the love felt for comfort after a hard day.

Speaking of the inspiration behind the track, J explains: "it’s about dancing through the madness. The rhythms embody the tick of time's clock, narrating the complexities of all sorts of relationships against a backdrop of tired nights. It reminds me that we’re all just doing the dance.”

The accompanying visuals are directed by Ryan McKey and produced by Kola Bello and flirt with the old and new as J Appia performs in a dark basement mirrored across piles of retro TV screens. 

Currently working on a new ep titled That’s the Thing About Time, that is only part one of a series, the East Londoner was inspired by a trip to Japan, a country that “has always been a place of peace and inspiration for me,” Appiah reveals.

“It was the most logical place to complete the project, record to tape and give it that special quality that sets it apart from everything else.”

Listen here