NEW MUSIC: August James Releases debut EP “Warm Air”
JULY 20, 2023 | BY ALICIA URREA
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter August James has released the most mystifying, sublime soundtrack to any indie lover’s summer. His debut EP, Warm Air, is a 6-track navigation through the adventure of the winding roads that lead to the destination of getting older. Every track is a tender anecdote of scenarios that involve heartache, youthhood reminiscence, and blissful appreciation for lessons learned.
The first track on the EP is “Escapades,” which is an effortless introduction to the carefree ambiance the record brings forth. It wastes no time in the beginning as James bestows some heavenly harmonies upon us, with what sounds like a synthesized bass beside his vocals. Some percussion kicks in and acts as a catalyst for the rest of the song, as James introduces the EP: “This is worth it, this is poolsides / This is warm air, I think it’s real life.” At the time of my first listen, my immediate thought was that it exuded “Solar Power” by Lorde vibes. This song wholeheartedly has that coming-of-age summer feeling.
The following track titled “Security Deposit” is undoubtedly my personal favorite on the entire record. For lack of a better description, this song feels like a musical score for a twenty-something’s everyday life. It starts off with the somber allure of an acoustic guitar, and gently strummed chords that feel extremely cathartic. Once again, the angelic familiarity of some hush-toned harmonies come into play while James sings the story-telling chorus: “So I drew on the walls with a crayon, like a kid who can’t understand / How bad he wants it, the drip in the faucet / I’m not getting back my security deposit.” The vivid lyricism demonstrates some perfect juxtaposition. Singing about drawing on the walls with a crayon and not getting back your security deposit in the same breath is an interesting – yet captivating – picture to paint for the reality of young adulthood.
“Fever” is a beautiful soundscape that encapsulates the feeling of being infatuated with another person. The song is activated by some lullaby-like production, as hazy bells drift along to the beginning of the first verse. These bells are the only thing that accompany the vocals, with a faint progression in the background. James’ celestial harmonies supernova us into the chorus, which is boosted in production with some aching lyrics, using analogies to describe his feelings toward his crush: “You are a folktale, I’m a believer / You are a pipedream, I am a dreamer / You are a phone call, I’m a receiver / You are a sickness, and I’ve got a fever.” A steady kick drum is the most prominent instrument, alongside a winding synthesized progression that easily acts as an earworm, making the song unforgettable.
At the halfway mark of the EP, we have “Illicit” – a tune wrapped in melancholia. Interestingly, the track includes some gentle rain as white noise throughout the nearly 3-minute song. Infamous harmonies are heard throughout, as soft strings on an acoustic guitar are plucked repetitively. The shape of the song is pretty similar for its duration, keeping the melodies consistent and production at ease. The outro brings forward a piano, a beautiful close to an appealing gloomy track.
“Take It Up With Cupid” is another favorite of mine, simply because I adore the use of rhyme in the chorus; it makes the track extremely vulnerable and endearing, like a poem read aloud: “Now the car’s getting humid, and baby you said I was stupid / To have your heart, and never use it / Well you can take it up with cupid.” There’s minimal production until the first chorus hits, which only progresses as the song goes on. The first verse simply includes some repeated notes played on guitar, with a low synthesized bass added when the first chorus starts. The second chorus seems to have an added layer of an exciting percussion sound, with the bridge incorporating some edited guitar and glitchy vocals. The song definitely begins sounding more dire, but as the production picks up, it starts to feel more buoyant despite the heartbreaking lyrics.
The last tune on the record titled “Miss Your Flight” was surprisingly released almost a year prior to the release of the EP. Similarly to the previous track, you anticipate the song to sound a bit sorrowful with the monotonous low string on guitar and the melodious piano, but the song excites once a faster tempo propels us forward. It’s a natural song about being in love, and it’s explicitly explained in the chorus, with the simple words of “Baby, I’m a fool / A fool in love with you.” Despite its earlier release in relation to the rest of the songs on the record, it’s timeless with its placement on the EP. It’s a flawless finale to James’ debut project, preparing us for the excitement that is to come with his future releases.
Warm Air is a combination of everything one could ask for in an indie record. From a personal perspective, the EP seems to sonically epitomize artists like Troye Sivan, encompass beautiful story-telling lyricism like Phoebe Bridgers, and envelop ethereal vocals like Ryan Beatty. It’s genuinely worth the while to soak in the warmth and radiance from August James, along with every song on the EP from start to finish.
Listen to Warm Air HERE