Re-lighting the fire of genuine, heartfelt writing and performance, this amazing release “BTW” by “Josy B” showcases a level of delicacy and emotional depth that seeks to connect in a notably pure way. ”BTW “ is a song soaked in passion and warmth. The lyrics deal with inner truth – the things that matter, the things that keep us going, regardless of distance. The set-up is fairly minimalist; a simple, spacious ambiance – a piano and a subtle supporting string section. The simplicity is only really in the instrumentation though – in the singular elements that make it up – to listen to the musicianship is hypnotic, the performances on all accounts are beautiful.
The opening, delicate first verse creates a gentle ambiance – upon which the truth of the writing pours through in an authentic way, as well as laying bare the skill and subtle hints of character that can be heard in Josy B’s voice. This initial softness creates a stark contrast with the manic intensity of the hook, a moment that has been crafted and performed with absolute passion from all involved.
From a songwriting perspective, the lyrics arrive with genuine depth here, and the accompanying video works hard to feed further into that aura. The performances throughout do well in underlining the passion inherent in the song’s sentiment, particularly the leading voice – this is the touch of instant humanity that most listeners are initially drawn in by. In this case, it’s a naturally beautiful voice, powerful in a relevant way but not trying too hard and not resulting in something overly shouty or unhinged. It all just feels very real, which is rare in Hip Hop, Pop, or RnB these days.
As the song progresses, and indeed each new time that you listen, the free-flowing purity of the musicality and the melody really start to connect. Along with this, you begin to notice the inherent unity between the music and the voices driving the sentiment – the personalities carrying the words along. There’s a gorgeously interwoven sense of humanity and community in the sound. The lyrics deal with only those important things, initially reflecting in a real-time manner – offering imagery, setting the scene, and suggesting possible darkness surrounding or approaching. As things move forwards, there’s a definite sadness to the storyline – the separation, and again togetherness. Fortunately, though, the song’s chorus seeks to calm those feelings of uncertainty.
