REVIEW: Carver Jones Releases New Single, Teases Upcoming Project ‘8’
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY NINA KUDLACZ ☆
Photo by Logan Armstrong
IT’S THE SIGN OF THE TIMES FOR CARVER JONES—Without genre in mind, Carver Jones released his newest single, “SIGN OF THE TIMES” on April 17.
The 22-year-old singer-songwriter has been making a name for himself since moving to Nashville just under one year ago by writing, recording, playing shows across the country and most importantly, transcending his sound.
In anticipation of his next EP project, 8, Jones released “SIGN OF THE TIMES,” a three-minute track featuring gospel-influenced harmonies in the repeated chorus and a classic Carver Jones and the American Dreamers guitar solo in the bridge.
As an artist with influences from all over the place, Jones puts no pressure on himself to write in the same genre or follow a format. He writes freely, as himself—just like how his music sounds.
Though he may be defying genres, his consistently strong songwriting still shines through in this single. The lyrics in the second verse portray this well: The birds sing a song for a kind who lost his lover (His lover) / It’s ok to leave I’ll be fine I’m a highway runner (A runner) / I cry and I bark for a life where I’m home by supper (Supper) / She thinks she’s out of my mind but I still want her (I love her).
The project will release on August 7, just one day before Jones will return home to play the MAHA Festival on August 8. The single also features a music video with lyrics.
When teasing this single on his social media accounts, Jones posted a video to Instagram that quotes, “something you feel, something you can drink to, then cry to, then realize it’s all just a sign of the times.”
Throughout the video Jones voices his stream of consciousness, stating his musical inspirations and how they’re intertwined, ending the video with one message: “8; Music without genre in mind.”
8 represents transformation and explores themes of change. Like a butterfly leaving its cocoon, the project is about shattering the old mold to create something new.
Jones draws inspiration for the EP from many different ideas like the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Tibetan Buddhism, which represents enlightenment and spiritual awakening, and the age of Aquarius, which signifies purification and renewal. Water is a force for washing away sins, negativity and allows for rebirth and cleansings.
To Jones, the number 8 represents a new beginning or new creation, and a man’s true born again event where he is resurrected from the dead into eternal life. The line “Good days are coming around” is repeated throughout the first single, reiterating the theme of change.
In between ripping cigs and playing gigs this summer, Jones will return to his home of Omaha, Nebraska to play the MAHA music festival alongside artists like Wet Leg, Killer Mike and Blondshell.
The historic festival located in the heartland features a mix of both local and national Grammy Award-winning artists. After announcing his performance on social media, Jones said, “COMING HOME IN AUGUST :) It means the world to be a part of something soooo sick! The crew and I are hyped.”
Despite the years of experience under his belt, Jones’ career is just beginning. Though he may be far from home, he’s not far from success. For Jones, good days are coming around.
