Toronto Based Musician Jahmal Padmore Unveils His Latest Single "So Cold"
Jahmal Padmore, the Toronto-based musician, is sharing "So Cold" which marks the final advance preview of his debut album, Esparonto, which is out via Telephone Explosion Records on May 27th. Tipped by The FADER, Exclaim, Complex, CBC Music and more so far, Padmore has been honing his producing, songwriting, and drumming skills since 2007, working with artists like MSTRKRFT, The Carps, Just John and Brendan Philip. This extensive studio and collaboration experience has primed Jahmal for a standout debut, one that encompasses the diversity of his past musical work mustering a post-Afropunk R&B sound.
Recorded at Telephone Explosion’s Studio Z, the trio of Padmore, guitarist Benja and OBGMs drummer/keyboardist Colanthony Humphries began with lengthy jam sessions which eventually became the cores of each track. Padmore plucked the most progressive bass and percussion elements from the sessions and added samples to create Esparonto’s uniquely live aesthetic. The album was then mixed by Louis Cremades at House Of Balloons (The Weeknd) and mastered by Kevin McPhee (Idle Hands, NakedLunch) at East End Mastering.
There is an undeniable sense of self-reflection that runs throughout Esparonto which features a string of guests including Mathew Progress, Keita Juma and the aforementioned Young Clancy and Benja. Written when Jahmal was 18 years old, the new single, "So Cold" has been part of his catalogue for as long as the artist has been a performer and songwriter. With lyrics that he penned well beyond his years at the time, the track is an exploration into the dissipation of love that was founded on his own selfish desires and needs for approval. "Losing yourself in ideas of love, but not truly love itself," explains Padmore.
Esparonto’s title is drawn from the name of the constructed language that Polish ophthalmologist L.L. Zamenhof created in the late 1800s. On this album, Padmore constructs a musical language all his own, with songs firmly rooted in R&B that expand to include elements of jazz, ambient, house, hip hop, and pop. After years of holding space for other artists and productions, Padmore’s thrilling debut is a clear proclamation from an artist who is ready to step out of the shadows and into his own light.
Listen to “So Cold” now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Jahmal Padmore on his social media.