Singer songwriter Stephen Jaymes returns with a gripping new single “The Evidence Against Her”.
This is the follow-up to his recent single release “Saving Daylight“, and is timed perfectly for the eerie ambiance of the autumn season.
“The Evidence Against Her” is the sixth from his upcoming debut LP “King Jaymes“, which explores the unnerving psychological landscape of a man who believes that his Jungian anima, or his spiritual muse, has turned against him. In typical Jaymes fashion, the song is emotionally charged and rich in lyrics, bringing listeners into a stormy world of self-reflection and internal struggle.
Listen in here:
Although it starts out in a relatively recognizable fashion, as the tension builds there is a crescendo that arrives in the form of a wordless chorus. We find ourselves transported through the eerie quiet, Stephen’s raw yet melodic vocals then building up to a musical storm that mirrors the man’s doubt and fear as he faces the possibility that his guiding light – his anima – has become a source of threat rather than inspiration.
But as much as the song strides across landscapes, of both sound and in the imagery of waves crashing at sea, it is inwards that looks on the lyrics. The main character is depicted as a man on the edge, grappling with the terrifying possibility of being at odds with his spiritual muse. The wide, desolate ocean becomes a metaphor for the vast, often unchartered territories of the psyche, and the isolation that comes with losing touch with one’s creative or spiritual core.
Accompanying the song is a the official music video that sees Stephen adrift at sea, lost both physically and emotionally. With his signature curly mohawk, he cuts a surreal and almost dreamlike figure, reminiscent of an Andy Warhol painting brought to life.
“The Evidence Against Her” feels like a thematic continuation of Jaymes’ previous work especially when viewed in conjunction with last year’s “Chief Inspector“.
Both songs draw heavily on Jungian concepts and, in particular, the complex relationship between the conscious self and its shadowy counterparts. In this sense “The Evidence Against Her” may be seen as a companion piece to “Chief Inspector” as it continues Jaymes’s exploration of the darker corners of the mind.
And as with previous single releases, Jaymes’s pairs a lyrical depth with his moody folk-punk sound.
In “The Evidence Against Her” we have a song that makes you feel as if it is delving in into the deeper themes of identity and taking you along with it, unsure of where the tide may take them next.
“My songs are searching for truth and authenticity, but not always both at the same time … I try to refuse all invitations to tell the big lies, and then I see what’s left.”
Born just outside of Detroit, Stephen Jaymes grew up in a household where music was as diverse as it was constant. His father played the folk classics of the 1960s and 70s, while older brother introduced him to new wave and punk, with bands like the Ramones and Elvis Costello leaving a lasting impression.
His passion for songwriting flourished while attending Harvard University, where his sharp, witty lyrics found a home in folk-inspired songs with a brainy edge. After graduating, he moved to Prague where he busked on the streets alongside fellow expat musicians. It was in this bohemian setting, living in a rented room, that he taught himself to fingerpick Leonard Cohen’s early work. Eventually, Jaymes made his way to Los Angeles where he performed regularly at local cafes and has built a loyal following.
His distinctive blend of punk and folk influences, combined with his clever songwriting, earned him a reputation as a standout in the singer-songwriter scene.
Listen to “The Evidence Against Her” on Spotify now!
Keep up to date with Stephen Jaymes:
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