Musical Digest: Jazzy's EP NO BAD VIBES

No Bad Vibes, the deep house single by Jazzy featuring Kilamanjaro has been played on a loop for days. The single ended up being the titular name of the EP and I’d describe it as anything prevalent that Jazzy makes.

Jasmine Byrne, the mastermind behind her musical moniker Jazzy, is a steadfast dance-pop musician from Ireland.

When I think of Ireland, house music is not the first thing that comes to mind. I had no idea that Irish musicians dabbled into the wonderful art of house music, but Jazzy has been making waves within the community for quite some time now. Like many house heads, I first became acquainted with Jazzy from her single “Feel It” and then later “Giving Me” followed by "Life Lesson".

TikTok streamers really blew that single out of the water which then prompted the artist to start some major music video campaigns. It garnered a relatively huge fan base and the attention of other prolific musicians such as Sonny Fodera and D.O.D.

For a secondary EP following the success of "Constellations", this is a vibrant blend of all of the genres I know and love and constantly keep close to my heart; an electric combination of dance, house and pop conjuring an atmosphere of uplifting moods and dancing until the rays of the morning light hit your cheeks. Jazzy’s vocal ability shines through here in the best possible way; smooth, dynamic and expressing this coquetier flirting with its listeners. It’s playful yet incredibly polished, groove driven instrumentals. It emulates the freedom, positivity and the art of living in the moment which are very prevalent in the way house music is meant to be received.

As I’m writing this, I’m indulging in the explosively smooth texture of THE CHOCOLATE BOMB from Puffy Cakes located on the west side of Chicago. I’m gulping it down with a blend of caramel macchiato and despite the indie playlist in the shop, I’m vibing to Jazzy’s melodically captivating EP and can’t help but bop my head. It is such a catchy and atmospheric album. Jazzy has once again composed something that makes it hard to sit still. My ass has a tendency to shake while sitting ever so slowly moving the chair further from the table.

It kicks off with “No Bad Vibes” anchored by a smooth house-inspired beat, driving a rhythm and a well-paced tempo that creates a feeling of wanting to dance or sit back, relax and contemplate. It is one of my favorite tracks specifically because it puts my mind at ease, but also creates a feeling of wanting to dance. I think it’s due in large part to the use of bright synths and uplifting chord progressions making it light and airy, which reverberates the theme of this track. Jazzy’s vocal range is warm and expressive making her delivery all the more natural and effortless. The processing of her vocals enhances clarity without taking away from its personality.

Every track on this EP evokes some type of celebratory feeling. It’s composed of 7 beautifully ethereal tracks.

“Headrush” is full of electrifying and high energy beats. It’s built around a fast-paced beat and punchy basslines. The rhythmic intensity mimics the rush adrenaline that is prevalent throughout the track. You can easily hear the bright synth melodies which weave seamlessly with deep, pulsating bass tones, creating a uniquely vibrant sonic palette. The subtle use of percussive elements like claps and hi-hats and kick drums layers it further and gives it this momentum which makes it go forward.

“Call it what you want as long as you keep calling…you got me turning upside down” can be attributed to the headrush we get when we first fall in love with someone or it can be attributed from a headrush from an intensive and exciting night out on the dancefloor.

I personally prefer the latter.

It’s designed to thrive in a club setting and its repetitive structure is perfect to fuse it into a DJ set and get acquainted with it further on the dancefloor. Who knows? Perhaps No Bad Vibes is the new summer craze that Brat was? Time will tell.

“Touching Heaven” featuring CamrinWatsin is the most emotionally charged track on this EP. It provides a moment of transcendence within the collection because while it continues its uplifting beat, it is coming off as more dreamy and spiritual, complimenting its title of what it feels like to fall in love with someone for the first time, albeit as if we’re touching heaven.

With its soaring melody and evocative vocal performance, it’s an intimate soundscape. It can be attributed towards love and happiness or both that can be open to interpretation. It features a gradual build-up with a dynamic layering of instruments. It contains euphoric drops, shimmering synths and maintains a balance of energy, rhythm and melody that reflects as light and weightless.

It’s probably one of my personally favorite and standout tracks of the EP.

“Somedays” featuring Sonny Fodera and D.O.D is the track that ties the album in a beautifully bouncy bow. Vocally, it is the most introspective song on the album. It explores the complexity of life’s rollercoaster of emotions; once you’re up and once you’re down by virtue of how life is full of ebbs and flows. I think it was cleverly placed as the last track because it offers moments of vulnerability and reflection.

We all feel like getting away and literally running away from the weight of our manufactured problems and obstacles; but the bigger picture is within us all. There may be distracting thoughts or even echos from the public at large that may feel obliged to relate their own subjective criticism…but the song is there to remind those emotionally battered souls to keep it moving forward. Chase after the goals. Face the obstacles. Don’t give up and don’t stop now. Eventually the chips fall where they may.

Prior to this single being placed on the EP, it was a part of my ongoing repertoire of liked songs on Spotify. Whenever it came on as I was walking somewhere or just doing cardio at the gym, it prompted me to amp up my walking speed or increase the incline level on the treadmill.

I can’t emphasize enough how much house music has meant to me and what it continues to do with my neuropaths, how it continues to heal my brain from the everyday chaos in which it very much resides, the overconsumption of stressors and anxiety driven thoughts it is able to eliminate…and if it’s any consolation, it may not be an antidote for you, but it definitely is for me.

I implore you to listen to the No Bad Vibes in its entirety and see if it turns you into a believer.