We were recently introduced to Joe Kenney as he performed keys on Carter Fox’s Space Island, so when we heard that he had just released If It Lasts featuring MC Sterling Duns, we couldn’t wait to experience it!
Setting the tone with the whirring sounds of a city and the exclamation, “Dang, gotta tell the truth…” Joe Kenney opens the remix of If It Lasts with intrigue and emotive prose, with powerful and conscious lyricism.
The opus expands with incredible vocals from Elle Gyandoh and Murphy Bug which lend immense dimensionality and charm to the piece, along with MC Sterling Duns’ intricate flow, and the additional production of Martronimous.
We appreciate the depth of the piece and can imagine that fans of The Roots would be able to connect with the soundscape and authenticity, although it is clear that Joe Kenney and his collaborators are creating a universe of their own.
We learn that Adam Sisko provides the beat on the synth drums, whilst one of our favourite artists Carter Fox lays down the soulful bass line and instrumental counter-melodies. Guitarist Sam Cooper (of the band Mt. Joy) delivers on the soulful lead lines, and Kenney creates the orchestral layering of piano, wurlitzer, and synths. All in all, an incredible composition, with tonnes of dynamics and poetic nuance.
The message of the songs is tangible and relatable, we love the cohesive tapestry that the award-winning recording artist and pianist from Philadelphia creates with his collaborators.
With a genre expansive fusion of hip-hop, neo-soul, classical, jazz, new age, and more, we have added the remix of If It Lasts to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to stream Joe Kenney’s wider discography including his cover of Drake’s Hotline Bling!