What better way to enter the weekend than with a brand new R&B cut, accompanied by a hazy music video? Releasing the visuals for “Save Yourself”, artist Rexx Life Raj ushers in a new wave of sensual toned sounds as he takes to a fog-filled car park and serenades the camera whilst embroiled in care-free bliss. To further the excitement surrounding this new release, fans of Raj will also be thrilled to hear that the artist’s brand new album is crashing towards release, just in time for summer.

When speaking on The Blue Hour album, the artist explained, “The process of creating this album was all over the place. A lot of the songs and ideas came while my mom was battling cancer. I didn’t have the time to record or work on music because I was taking care of her as well as my dad. I would jot down notes and ideas in my phone because I knew they were experiences I wanted to put into the music. After my mum passed and I had a little more time on my hands I was able to slowly get back in the studio, and when I did, the album was pretty much down from all the notes. It was just a matter of turning ideas into songs.”

Amongst all of the excitement of his new releases, the artist took some time to chat to Wonderland about the process behind his musical magic and what he hopes the future holds. Head below to enjoy our conversation with Rexx Life Raj…

Hey Rexx Life Raj! How are you doing? What has the past year been like for you?
I’m doing cool, I won’t complain. This past year has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. I am working through a lot of different transitions, emotions and feelings. Trying to learn from it all.

What’s super noticeable in your music is how much of it revolves around relationships. Has this topic always been threaded within your songwriting? Why do you think it is?
Yeah. I’ve never really thought about it like that. I think it has.

And your music seems to blend multiple genres, how would you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound as eclectic. I pull from a lot of different places and try to do whatever feels right in the moment. Super melodic.

And congratulations on the upcoming release of your new album, The Blue Hour! Can you talk us through your writing process when making the effort?
The process of creating this album was all over the place. A lot of the songs and ideas came while my mom was battling cancer. I didn’t have the time to record or work on music because I was taking care of her as well as my dad. I would jot down notes and ideas in my phone because I knew they were experiences I wanted to put into the music. After my mum passed and I had a little more time on my hands I was able to slowly get back in the studio, and when I did, the album was pretty much down from all the notes. It was just a matter of turning ideas into songs.

Are there any other overarching themes throughout the album?
Grief and navigating it.

It includes the track “Balance” which feels very personal to you and close to home. What motivated you to write this particular track?
I wrote Balance because that’s what I was searching for at the time and also felt like it was something that would resonate with a lot of people.

“Beauty In The Madness” feels like a change of pace compared to “Balance”. Was there any particular reason for this?
That song came out of a session with P-Lo. He had been listening to Tems and referenced one of her songs that resonated with him. “Beauty in the Madness” was an idea that I’d been sitting with for a minute. I thought it would a dope concept to do overproduction with that much movement. After we wrapped it up I was able to play it for Fireboy at the Empire studio, he rocked with it, and hopped on. Nima sent that version to Wale and the rest is history.

What do you hope people can take from the album tracks and music videos?
Whatever they need. The intention was to help people grieving but it’s a success if it helps people in any way.

Where do you see yourself in the next year? Is there anything, in particular, you are hoping to achieve or work towards?
Hopefully taking the family and squad around the world off the strength of the music. That’s about it.