Singer-songwriter J. Sariah has dropped her full-length debut album, “The Journey”, with tracks produced by 3Bubble & J. Gray of Live From The Pentagon Entertainment and DJ Izzy Ill, idreaminstero and Dorothy Chan of Barron Studios in Houston, Texas. J. Sariah who comes from a family of music producers was once destined for the pro tennis circuit, but her passion for music took into a new direction. The artist began writing songs in middle school as a way of escaping stressful times, and graduated from California University of Pennsylvania in 2017. She has since released her 5 song debut EP, “The Path”, and now her full-length recording.

This latest release takes a deep and insightful look at the several stages within relationships, as well as reflecting on personal inner growth. Along the way the narrator learns that you cannot perfectly plan every event in life, and that sometimes the best experiences and outcomes are derived from destiny rather than by design. The album teaches us that when you’ve learned that lesson, “The Journey” of your life will just have begun.

J. Sariah is hands down one of the most exciting and creative R&B/Neo-Soul artists currently putting out music, and this latest album is a worthy addition to her freshly grown repertoire. She takes the liberty of tackling socio-psychological topics, like self-determination, self-discovery, empowerment and sexuality in a different context without things getting too ponderous and exhaustive. While clearly relevant and important, J. Sariah grounds these discussions with decipherable relatability for the common ear.

Aside from her infectious energy and fantastic vocals – much of J. Sariah brilliance comes from her ability to raise and discuss these human issues without it seeming forced, pretentious or too angry. She’s opinionated and yet approachable, listenable and entertaining.

Which means her messages actually gets through instead of your brain just shutting it all out. J. Sariah is an artist, able to make art for herself before even thinking of an audience, which shows tremendous respect and commitment to her craft and her musical concept.

From the moment she opens this 11 track show with her acclaimed single, “Friendzone”, J. Sariah proves to be a musical maelstrom who is a shining beacon of individuality and class. She is about honoring the sounds of past and updating it for today.

Listen to how she oozes nineties appeal on “Shooting Star”, as she searches for that perfect love. Her melodic crooning reaches its apex on “Are You Ready”, where J. Sariah asks her man to make a decision between and the probable other woman. This leads to the contentment and satiated desires of the bass-throbbing “Run It”.

Beautiful, evocative, sexy, and doubtful is how J. Sariah sounds on the inquiring notes of “Overthinking”. The consequences of which brings the narrative to the edgy “Revenge”, where J. Sariah restitutes all the disrespect received in equal measure. It is on the soulful, “Reflection”, that she takes a long hard look at herself, seeing where she needs to change.

This brings J. Sariah’s personal journey to one of my favorite songs on the album – the rhythmic Santana-ish sounding, “Break History”. This is a lusciously layered, rock infested R&B anthem that will have you stomping your feet and raising your fist to the air in approval.

But this album is far from finished. Every track tells a story from bouncy glee to soulful longing. J. Sariah’s has talent beyond her years. When you listen to the epic “H202”, the sensual “Reckless Love”, and finally, the Dancehall-styled duet, “Dutty Wine”, you’ll know that J. Sariah is simply transcendent. “The Journey” proves that there are still some young artists working to make a unique sound and a big impression.

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