JC Stewart has released his debut EP ‘When the Light Hits the Room,’ on Youtube last night, kicking the event off with an intimate live-streamed performance and launch event. The performance saw the singer performing live versions of a number of songs from the EP and the cosy event will likely be a comfort for many British fans who are heading into winter locked down.
As well as Youtube, the EP can also be streamed on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, Napster or Soundcloud and is available to download on Itunes or Amazon Music. Hailing from Northern Ireland, JC Stewart has already worked with ‘Lewis Capaldi‘ as well as industry veteran ‘Nile Rodgers,‘ and countrymen ‘Snow Patrol.’ Fans of Lewis Capaldi will certainly be able to transfer their affections to the stripped back style and emotional lyrics.
JC Stewart’s EP consists of four tracks, ‘Rest Of My Life,’ ‘Valium,’ ‘Friday Night,’ and ‘Hard To Believe,’ all lasting roughly between two and a half and three and a half minutes long. His choice of song title is somewhat typical of the current generation of songwriters, focusing in on personal issues, partying, introspection and occasionally prescription drugs. Following in the footsteps of Billie Eilish who’s song ‘xanny,’ was a feature of her debut album.
According to Totalintertainment, JC ‘wrote the EP with the BRIT and Ivor Novello Award winner Tom Odell,’ another BIMM alumni from the James Bay era. Stewart tells the magazine that he wrote the EP about ‘growing up and searching for the end goal that would make everything make sense,’ which is surely something we can all relate to, certainly when we think about our formative years.
The EP has been released at a suitable time for the gentle, self-reflective vibe which persists throughout, a suitable soundtrack to a cosy winter evening. As the UK heads into yet another lockdown these four tracks will surely bring some comfort to those spending more time indoors and having lots of time to think about their lives. The way with which JC delivers his lyrics and music is as simple and as intimate as if one was speaking to a close friend and confidant.
Like many other artists emerging during these times, JC Stewart has an important advantage in having grown up with digital technology affecting his life from a very young age, as most of use born in the past three decades can surely relate too. Despite the frustrating experience of being unable to tour and promote one’s music live and in person, especially when having just finished an EP, it certainly would help to be familiar enough with digital technology and social media when navigating the tricky position of being unable to perform in person.
Like many other artists right now, JC Stewart is finding innovative ways to get his music heard and create meaningful interactions, even if that means opting for a live streamed perfomance over one carried out in person.
