“It’s useless to hide what I feel inside” – AJ The Messenger kicks off a colourful EP with a title-track that’s as vulnerable as it is immersive and catchy.
Built around a mellow to euphoric synth-pop arrangement, You Deserve To Fly High leans towards anthemic EDM at its peak, and showcases the impact of collaboration when bringing to life a personal and melodically on point hit of songwriting. AJ The Messenger took on the help of additional producers to light up the multi-layered fullness of this project, and the result is an electrified ode to powerful songwriting with a heartfelt message.
Somewhat rock-kissed during its latter half, the title-track features a solo moment of explosive passion to wrap things up, and is followed by a distinctly more mellow and piano-led King of Loneliness – another use of contrast that balances the electronic and organic realms. The vocals are soaked in effects, almost robotic on occasion but in keeping with the emotive Owl City sounds that have rocked the scene for over a decade now. At its core, this EP celebrates great songwriting and effective sound design, with impassioned vocals at the forefront connecting for their openness and gratitude.
Four great tracks in total make up the EP You Deserve To Fly High, some taking influence from the likes of pop punk and rock, others noting hints of inspiration amidst classic pop and even electro. It’s a diverse but grounded collection, with a leading voice and rush of euphoria to the design that rings loud as AJ The Messenger.