Dexter beautifully blends elements of both hip-hop and new-school jazz in his newest single, Blue Skies, creating a groovy, laid-back track through and through.

The thing that immediately grasped me with this song was the instrumentation. Most songs in this genre utilize samples, almost always taken from old-school bebop or fusion tracks. Blue Skies, however, feels all very genuine (if Dexter DID use samples, kudos to them because they had me truly fooled). The fast tremolo panning left to right on the Rhodes is a wonderful introduction to the song. This instrument that’s been at the forefront of the new-school jazz movement is utilized beautifully in Blue Skies, truly embodying a hypnotic, relaxing feel. The bass that kicks in with the percussion really feels like the highlight for me. It leaves just the right amount of space, all the while punching right where it counts. The soulful guitar lines vary between extended chords and classic Stratocaster plucks, adding so much body to the composition. Dexter’s voice has such an androgynous beauty to it, and though it does lack harmony, it didn’t feel necessary in this song. In fact, that feature sells a jam-feel to the song, like you’re really just sitting in on four-or-so musicians all playing together in the same room. The production, however, is far too crystal clear for that. The breaths, the air, and the floating-feel of it all compliment the tone they aimed for all too well.

Blue Skies is perfect to both be enjoyed by itself or in a playlist, for all kinds of occasions. Hanging around with friends, working on assignments, or simply just to purely enjoy music. With excellent musicianship and beautiful composition, it really makes it one of the more special new-school jazz tracks of the year. It’s chill, it’s slow, it’s groovy. What more could you ask for?

Author: Nicholas Gaudet

Music producer and writer from Dieppe, Canada.