Genre-bending artists Jordan Ward and Joony have joined forces for a joint EP, JRNY.
The six-track offering, available via ARTium Recordings/Interscope Records, includes the lead single “Jealously.”
On the Max Free, Lido, and Samiy-produced track, they admit to feeling emotionally detached from a current relationship. “Jealousy, I want you all to me / But I can’t give you all of me,” Ward sings in the chorus.
On “Homebody,” they share their experiences from the early days of navigating their careers. Joony raps about working through grief: “Ever since my father died, go time / I can’t even talk, I got no time / I’m picking my pants up, put that smile on showtime.”
Meanwhile, Ward sings about overcoming obstacles placed before him by naysayers. “They was trying to shoot me down and I was just starting out / Now, I’m the best possible example they was probably thinking ’bout,” he sings.
“Burning Rubber” is a brutally honest track in which they ponder whether they’re patient enough to be in a relationship: “I’m starting to think I don’t really need a lover / My heart in the streets, and I’m burning rubber.”
Jordan Ward and Joony’s JRNY EP comes two years after their first collaboration, “Zoom Zoom,” from Joony’s 2022 project, Pretty In Black (Deluxe). In October 2022, they teamed up for “IDC,” which appeared on Ward’s 2023 debut album, FORWARD.
Since its premiere, “IDC” has garnered over 12 million streams on Spotify. It’s the third most-played song from that project on the streaming service.
JRNY is Ward’s third musical release of the year following “Player Two” from the Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead soundtrack and his cover of Bob Marley’s “Waiting In Vain” for Spotify Singles.
As for Joony, the Maryland artist released MEMENTO (Deluxe), an expanded edition of his 2023 debut EP, in March via EVGLE/Red Bull Records.
“A memento is an object kept as a reminder or souvenir of a person or event. I wanted to take that concept a step further with the Deluxe EP and bring it full circle by expanding on the themes MEMENTO dove into,” he explained.
Memento (Deluxe) included the standout “I Know” featuring Blxst, who is also the head of EVGLE. “Honored to have Joony a part of the EVGLE family. Our first collaboration, so it’s special! When I first heard Joony’s music, I knew he was outta here! His versatility is next level and ‘I Know’ and MEMENTO (Deluxe) embodies just that,” said Blxst.
In 2022, Joony appeared on Brent Faiyaz‘s sophomore album, Wasteland, on “FYTB.”
Stream Jordan Ward and Joony’s new EP JRNY below.
