New York-based Christian musician HeIsTheArtist has released his single Ungodly Hour from his EP; Under The Influence Of Love. This jazzy, experimental, acoustic track lends on contemporary Gospel and Soul to blend many genre-inspired elements into a sound the HeIsTheArtist can convey his thoughts, ideas, and inspiration to a vast and diverse audience regardless of faith. Incorporating a duet of vocals with I believe, Chloe X Halle this inspirational song is a thematic approach to the crucifixion archetype that is put into a modern aspect that is available to anyone. The approach of this archetype thus exposes the availability of interpretation within the story and what lessons can be learned from it. It is from this the performance becomes ever more critical. HeIsTheArtist employs an almost spoken word approach to the vocals on Ungodly Hour while the female vocalist carries the long notes to give this a contrast of spoken word jazz with the operatic approach. The overall aspect that Ungodly Hour is a sermon of sorts is that it has to connect with its audience in that there is a message yet the entertainment of the music has to be front and center of the musical artist’s approach. Musically, the rhythm is simple, and the instrumentation features subtle nuances that capture key scale tones over the chords making the vocals the key musical instrumentation that needs to be recognized. Not to say Ungodly Hour isn’t musical, it becomes more of a vessel to keep the narrative flowing as a priority.
Ungodly Hour is an enjoyable piece of music. The production is very professional and mature while keeping the indie feel to the track. The ability of HeIsTheArtist to maintain a syncopated melody with his rhyming scheme allows this jazzy feel track to reach a diverse audience. Although Ungodly Hour does not appeal to a Pop audience it will still be a good fit for Urban, Jazz, and Gospel commercial radio formats. Ungodly Hour may be an acquired taste form of musicality yet once you listen to it through, as well as the rest of the Under The Influence Of Love EP, there will be no denying the power this delivery of musicality possesses. Ungodly Hour is an enjoyable track and a great fit within the confines of the album both thematically and musically, give it a listen.
