PREMIERE | Not So, "Go" ft. Alleyes Manifest
Not So’s Alleyes Manifest & Jeffrey Wright adding lighter fluid fuel to the fire; press photo courtesy of Senny Mau.
Bringing some bright shine from the Bay Area is the new fog & sun pop swagger of Not So. The latest act lead by Jeffrey Wright [from the outfits CITE, Compltr, The American Scene, Unconditional Arms, et al.], modern day rhythm and blues are elevated into grandiose ballroom atmospherics of emotion, thought trails and motion. Making their debut with the single of departures and new beginnings, “Go” — Wright teams up with Oakland-based underground emcee Alleyes Manifest that sorts out in rhyme the rollercoaster flight paths of feelings that pertain to intricate entanglements. The two elaborate upon the conventions of composing a heartbreak ode that observes honestly and painfully the conflicts of fierce attachments and the disconnects between two parties and the frayed connections that lie within the self. With Not So planning on releasing one single a month this year; the following is the first installment with a woeful tale on the topic of losing the outer and inner virtues of the human touch.
“Go” sinks the listener into Not So's world of big deep blue and emotively heavy hearted cinematic ambience. Beyond the sinewy celluloid gloss and sizzling snare snaps is Wright exhibiting the agony and pangs of being in the cyclical throes of anguish and amour as Alleyes surveys the deep wounds and hurt that are left in the wake of traumatic relationships. Manifest’s bars recount the rocky terrain and pain experienced in the past, extoling the art and health necessity of letting go of the chaos that is beyond the boundaries of ourselves. Jeffrey & Alleyes survey the depths and tribulations of affection; the sugar crash come-down after flying high on the ecstasy wings of love all revealed in a double helix cyclone of uncontrollable romance and tragedy. Wright wrestles with the hollowing pains of being crushed by an unrequited counterpart as Manifest reflects the complexities of nebulous companionship as it pertains to questions of commitment and the tenets of trust. "Go" is delivered like an elegy to the ones that got away in a r&b ballad about the strength of special bonds that don't withstand the stress tests of life’s trials and trajectories. Wright introduced the single with the following foreword:
"Go” is about the completely irrational and frustrating feeling pattern that happens when someone who you are in love with disrespects you in a way that seems insurmountable.
Not So from left, Jeffrey Wright & Alleyes Manifest; press photo courtesy of Senny Mau.
Producer/rhyme smith/songwriter/visionary Alleyes Manifest, aka James Wavey provided some thoughts on codependent relationships and the value of knowing self worth can be powerful with the following clutch lyrical line:
Alleyes Manifest:
Feeling out of touch — is this love or a crutch?
Jeff Wright:
“Go” is part of a year long project to release a single a month. A lot the creative process behind it was strike while the iron is hot so in that way it was one of the quicker pieces I’ve worked on. I like the idea of committing to early ideas and not looking back for this project — something i haven’t really wanted to do in the past. I’m used to writing songs over the course of months, years, not just days. Not So is a journey for me into a new musical space so it’s only natural that I change my process a bit.
Having help from friends is nice too. Aside from the fantastic addition from Alleyes Manifest, Ross Traver played the live drums and Cliff Mattis played the piano on the track — I think their contributions really glued the entire thing together to make something I’m really proud of.
Not So’s debut single “Go” will be available everywhere January 24. Pre-save here.