The next twelve months will likely see a gaping divide occur, between the programmed AI music, and that of the passion-project creators – those who play their instruments and write from the heart, with unfiltered honesty. (There will also be a midsection, of course, but its visibility will be less stark.) Enter Pat Llewellyn, otherwise known as PJ Pajamas – a songwriter whole-heartedly representing the latter.
Having made music for years, the album Kids Music For Adults marks the introduction of a style that’s carefree and genuine – the ability and professionalism of the instrumentation and songwriting meeting with an air of authenticity and purity that’s captivating throughout.
Representing the project is the animated version of PJ Pajamas, and what’s refreshing about the sound is both the humility of the artist and the genuine, man-made musicality of the songs. Everything you hear was written, performed, produced, mixed and mastered organically by Llewellyn. A home studio project that holds true to the raw energy and escapism of making music with live instruments and unedited voices.
The songwriting is also respectably interesting, the structures vary, along with the influences, and we meander through stories both evocative and comical in equal parts. Consider the shifting energy of Head to Head with Kristen – an opening track of indie pop to pop-punk passion that’s unpredictable and distinct.
Then there’s the piano-led drama of Schmaltzy – the live kick of the drum, these layered harmonies descending through some kind of Bowie-kissed realm of story and melody. The PJ Pajamas voice is unmistakable now, connecting for its personality and emotion alike, and the chord patterns and melodies help make this a genuine celebration and comfort, for adult music fans searching for that something specific, special, and of substance.
Arrangement matters, and the mellow embrace of Since I Met You is a pure pleasure to let ring through after the opening two bursts of brightness. The acoustic warmth, the layered voices, the sentimental connection, all delivers a welcomed twist of serenity and gratitude.
There are twelve songs making up Kids Music For Adults, all eclectic but grounded by story and freedom of playing, and also connected by this voice, these ideas, the sense of sleepy contemplation that makes the title feel relevant to the project. The stories can be simple or complex, and this means that with each revisit to the songs, you might notice some new reference or quality that hadn’t stood tall before.
It’s a great benefit of the album, that it keeps on giving, keeps surprising you, not just stylistically but conceptually. And all the while, the honesty of both the performances and writing is a pleasure to fall into.
Tiffany St. Clare hits with an anthemic pop-rock wonder that’s a fascinating celebration, with real indie riffs and a lush guitar tone providing something like seasonal nostalgia in unison with a story that lures you in. Then there’s one of the album’s most attention-grabbing tracks, as I Do NOT Want to be Friends with D_r_a_k_e presents a title and opening line that intrigue, and a musicality that’s creative and bouncy as a mid-playlist offering. As mentioned before, the ideas throughout this album give a little more insight on second visit; the gift that keeps on giving.
Hints of Bowie, Queen, The Eels, and F.U.N, all come about intermittently as Kids Music For Adults continues its venture. Two Left Feet is simple but satisfying, Hipster Cheese Puffs is intimate and heartbroken yet silly, and then there’s the sudden depth of Trauma Informed Soul Led Liberation Healing, with Celtic folk windpipes and ambient tones setting the foundations of an indie rock gem designed to inspire possibility, acceptance, and self-love. The intertwining of meditation and good vibes works well, and the lyrics, while relatable, always take some unexpected pathway towards conclusion, and that’s a powerful trait found through the songs of PJ Pajamas. Originality is subtle but striking, and always rewarding.
freelance.ai is cool, psychedelic, chilled and creatively unique, then Lexapro is hopeful, revealing, personal but accessible in its self-medicative reflection. “I always fear… If the sadness goes then so will the spark.” is one of many brilliant lyrics that smoothly and suddenly enter the space throughout Kids Music For Adults. This song is an easy favourite.
More Laughter Than Tears is another favourite, poignant but uplifting in its folk-pop styling and long-form melody. The lyrics are stunning as ever, clever and impressive, gritty and painfully, topically real. Then to finish, One Day You Won’t offers the project one of its most recognisable guitar riffs, and a quiet vocal melody of striking contrasted references and realism. Another favourite, these three closing tracks are the album’s pinnacle moment, in many ways, but the collection in full has so much to offer that you’ll easily spend more than an hour hear.
“You woke up today. One day you won’t. So do the best you can, while you’re here.”
From January, fans get can hold of a vinyl copy of the album, on a first-come first-serve basis, and this will feature a song made with renowned American songwriter Matt Farley.
The album title is on point, the comfort of melody and acceptance, crafted under a blanket of responsibility and grown-up references that are absolutely not for the younger listeners. PJ Pajamas strikes a fine balance, and these songs are a pleasure to dive into, time and time again.
No social media, no filler; no falsness. You can stream the music, download it, and the only other way to find out more is to visit the PJ Pajamas Website, which simply gives you his email address. But feel free to make contact if the music moves you to do so. I’m almost certain it will.
