jp saxe gets personal about heartbreak with new ep 'hold it together'
By Amy Tang
For some people, the month of February represents a time for the most romantic endeavors. But for JP Saxe, this year, it’s all about heartbreak and despair. Making his 2020 debut, LA-based singer-songwriter JP Saxe dropped his new EP, Hold It Together, on February 7. Acclaimed for his smooth vocals and catchy acoustic ballads, each song on the EP is captivating in the way Saxe describes his emotional ups and downs in dealing with love and relationships, almost serving as the perfect soundtrack for the lonely and broken this Valentine’s Day.
Following the release of hit collaboration track with pop singer Julia Michaels, “If The World Was Ending,” released on October 19, 2019, the Canadian-born JP Saxe artist has definitely sparked the public’s interest. Produced by FINNEAS, the single has surpassed over 100,000,000 streams on Spotify, making it Saxe’s most popular single to date and a perfect addition to the EP.
“25 in Barcelona” is a bittersweet tune, acting as a love letter from Saxe to his past lover. Complete with a simple rhythm and a couple of quick strokes on the guitar, he easily sets the mood through his vulnerability. The chorus hits hard with the lyrics “I’m halfway ‘round the world in Barcelona / Singing songs to you for strangers / And trying not to think about you,” which he sings before ending the song by ultimately admitting, “This wasn’t supposed to be about you.”
Each track is driven by pure emotion, and, when paired with Saxe’s relatable lyricism and mesmerizing tone, listeners can’t help but feel moved. Appropriately titled so, the EP’s third track, “Sad Corny Fuck” explores the warm, fuzzy feelings that accompany the feeling of being in love, whereas “Explain You” is one of the heavier tracks on the record, with the singer expressing his difficulties in trying to get over someone he had once cared for deeply. Accompanied by the piano and dynamic orchestration of strings, the instrumentals are striking but don’t distract listeners from his rich vocals, perfectly bringing out the qualities that make Saxe’s music as compelling as it is.
Overall, Hold It Together makes for an accomplished start for up-and-coming singer JP Saxe, who can only build up from here. While the EP is by no means anything groundbreaking, the production is flawless and his music is suitable for an easy listening experience. There’s no doubt in mind that Saxe will be back in the spotlight once again with another heartfelt song, and this time, we’ll be ready for it.