Jordan Hawkins is a guitar maestro. The R&B newcomer best demonstrates love for his chosen instrument on the scorching new song “Play,” which he co-produced with Reef Cole and Aja Grant of Phony Ppl.
Blending smoky piano notes, a squealing electric guitar and live drums, a captivated Hawkins sings about a muse that caresses the right parts of his deepest feelings.
He sings, “Let me be your joystick / Use me like your chapstick / Round one was just practice / Quicker to the finish / Now that I know just how your curves move / Angles to get into / It’s exciting, babe / Tryna to win the game.”
Hawkins pairs the new song “Play” with a corresponding music video that plays out like a ’70s music showcase. Backed by a tiny band, Hawkins, dressed for the groovy part, woos a young lady (played by McKayla Chandler) in the audience.
He later joins her on the dance floor to cut a rug. Vita Esperança Amore directed the visual based on a storyline conceived by her and Hawkins.
So far this year, Hawkins has released “Super Power,” plus its COLORS and acoustic version. That track, along with his latest, is part of his forthcoming EP, 4Play, out this October.
His upcoming set will follow his 2021 debut EP, Heart Won’t Stop. The seven-song effort included the early single “Risky,” which has amassed over 164,770 streams on Spotify. The biggest gainer, “We Have,” has exceeded more than 521,800 listens on the platform since its upload.
As part of his production collective NAIVE, they shared an EP titled Live from Ursula Ave in June. The live record is composed of R&B remakes performed by Hawkins. Some include Aaliyah’s “One in a Million,” Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor,” and SZA’s “I Hate U,” to name a few.
Additionally, Hawkins appears on Zyah Belle’s new project Yam Grier.
Stream “Play” by Jordan Hawkins below.
