Sydney soul singer Josue has lent his velvet-smooth vocals to “Worth It,” the latest single from American rapper Why Fi.
I have to admit, I probably wouldn’t have given this song a second listen if not for what Josue brings to the songs. He elevates this track, giving it a cool ‘90s vibe that I’m really digging. While working with Why Fi in the States, Josue also laid down some tracks for his own album, which should drop later this year. Now that’s going to be worth listening to!
Tag: Josue
“M.o.D” – Josue
When Sydney soul singer Josue released his first EP Bad News in 2015, I thought he was the second coming of Tevin Campbell. I loved his voice and the way he was making music that took me back to my teenage years. However, he’s decided to shake things up with his new 3-tracker, M.o.D.
Josue tells us that M.o.D can mean anything we want it to. “Mind over Distractions. Money overruns Dreams. Music over Drama” he helpfully suggests in the press release. But M.o.D is also the name of Josue’s brother and producer of this EP. His influence has taken everything I loved about Josue’s music but given it a fresh edge.
The single “Stay” is so smooth. Its instrumentation recalls an old jazz club, but the electro beats give it a more contemporary feel. “Million” is so bold, charged with energy. I love the way Josue’s soulful voice pairs with the wailing electric guitars. Josue goes out with a bang with “Erase the Sun.” He actually wrote this song when he was just 17 years old but it feels incredibly mature. It’s political, ambitious, and more than a little trippy.
As I listened to this EP I found myself thinking not of Tevin Campbell but favourite 90s act Maxwell, who took classic soul and created soundscapes around it. However, where Maxwell loved to sing about love and romance, Josue isn’t afraid to tackle grittier subject matter. He takes some real risks on M.o.D. but they all pay off.
Image used with permission from Stimulated Media
Josue Announces East Coast Summer Tour
In my mind, Josue has been one of the finds of the year with his old school sensibility and swag. His EP Bad News was a throwback to the 90s R’n’B in the most delicious of ways. So I’m excited to see he’s hitting the road this summer off the back of his latest single release “Closure.”
If you need more soul in your life, you won’t be disappointed with these shows, featuring Josue backed up by his band The Soulbenders.
20 January 2016 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
21 January 2016 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
22 January 2016 – Brooklyn Standard, Brisbane
23 January 2016 – Treehouse on Belongil, Byron Bay
24 January 2016 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
“Bad News” – Josue
Sydney soul singer Josue turned my head with his single “What’s On Your Mind” a couple of months ago. Now that I’ve been able to listen to his EP Bad News, I’m even more impressed.
Back in the ‘90s I remember a wave of exciting soul acts. Artists like Tevin Campbell, Jodeci, and R. Kelly really got me going. We’ve had the occasional act cut from a similar cloth since then. Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake spring to mind. But they didn’t quite resonate with me. But Josue definitely does.
The single “What’s On Your Mind” reminded me of what got my attention in the first place, and made me hungry for more. The next song “Lex” is totally sexy and smooth. I didn’t mind the title track “Bad News,” but it paled in comparison to the next song, a raw duet “What Would You Say” featuring the vocal stylings of Annelise Johnson. “So Simple” sees Josue skirting the jazz genre, and doing it admirably. He’s back collaborating with the EP’s final track, “Summer Time” featuring Billy Green. It’s not a cover of the classic Gershwin tune, or even the Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff colab. Instead it’s a brand new summer anthem which concludes with an awesome acapella break.
If you’ve hungered for the return of soul music, you won’t be disappointed by Josue’s Bad News.
Josué Delivers Slice of 90s Soul with “What’s On Your Mind”
One good 90s inspired song deserves another right? If Au Dré got you into the ‘90s spirit you’re going to love listening to “What’s On Your Mind” from Sydney singer Josué.
He reminds me so much of Tevin Campbell, for those of you old enough to remember him. Tevin doesn’t seem to be making music like this anymore, so I’m only too happy for Josué to take over his mantle! The song has a great groovy vibe. It’s very soulful, but I can hear some jazz influences too.
If you want to hear more, get yourself to The Vanguard on July 9 when Josué officially launches “What’s On Your Mind.”