SONG REVIEW: Maxwell Jxhn - "Real"
Maxwell Jxhn blends dark, melancholy electronica with classic emo rock in “Real”
Written by JD Walker
Genre-bending calls for a particular skill set and ear for the way that certain sounds and frequencies might interact with each other - it’s not so simple as taking a hip hop song and throwing in a breakdown (though that can be done effectively if executed well), more so analyzing the particular moods and tones that might fit for a song and drawing on a wide array of influences to realize that mood and solicit the proper emotional response. Maxwell Jxhn has a clear vision of what emotions he’s trying to capture in his new single “Real”, and the end result of the palette of sounds utilized in the tracks realizes that vision.
The song opens with a somber synth-bass suite and soft-spoken vocal delivery as the intro slowly crescendos through the pre-chorus into the much heavier chorus. Maxwell Jxhn did a great job of giving the audience a taste of what’s to come without giving away the whole song, letting the chorus fade out into a longer second verse that’s enveloped by a more intricate layering of synth and electronic sounds before introducing another chorus. Through the second chorus, the clear standout of the song is the eponymous artist’s vocals. Maxwell Jxhn has a smooth and soulful delivery style that’s reminiscent of progressive metal vocalist Mike Semesky (ex-Intervals). The song caps itself off nicely before a sudden key change in the last chorus, throwing an element of pattern-interrupt at the audience before the final closeout of the tune.
While Maxwell Jxhn’s vocals take the spotlight in “Real”, that’s not the only selling point of the track - the orchestration of the song as a whole is masterful, seamlessly blending the electronic synth patterns and 808 beats with the more analog-sounding vocals and guitar-driven choruses. Considering Maxwell Jxhn’s upbringing in the music industry included an appreciation for groups such as Nirvana and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers from a young age, Maxwell Jxhn is no stranger to the importance of graceful songwriting and careful orchestration. The Australian artist blends his roots along with emo rock legends such as My Chemical Romance, Panic at The Disco, Fall Out Boy, and modern electronica and synthwave trends for an overall catchy and charismatic single that could soon find its way to the top of both the ARIA charts as well as worldwide.