Musicians Abe the Kid and Kin River Works from New York City collaborate on a project called Speak Friend, which offers a deeply personal exploration of music as a means of connection and world-building. Their EP ‘IAJAR’ employs cinematic production and captivating lyrics to craft a musical experience that is both profound and engaging.
Stream: ‘IAJAR’ – Speak Friend
Without saying a word, Speak Friend evokes a powerful surge of emotions in the opening moments of “An Eye Opened,” the first track on their debut EP, IAJAR, balancing heartbreak, comfort, inner conflict, and acceptance. This track serves as an introduction to their collaborative musical journey, showcasing their storytelling skills and creating an expansive auditory space for listeners to immerse themselves in.
The duo, composed of the versatile lyricists and musicians Abe The Kid and Kin River Works, takes listeners on a journey through IAJAR, where the familiar and the unfamiliar coexist. They disregard genre boundaries, blending folk, hip-hop, R&B, and the organic sounds of nature to produce a uniquely original and intricate project.
IAJAR EP – Speak Friend
“An Eye Opened” flows seamlessly into the next song, “Planting Flowers,” imitating forward momentum and setting the stage for an unfolding musical journey throughout the project. With vivid lyrics, “Planting Flowers” crafts an accessible world, enhanced by Kin’s melodic vocals that resonate with fundamental human communication.
The track resonates with a rich auditory beauty, yet maintains an appealing grit through its driving drumbeat, inviting a primal response to move. In contrast to much of today’s popular music that inspires aimless dancing, “Planting Flowers” exudes smooth, purposeful momentum, encouraging the listener to progress with intention.
When you say goodbye I don’t know what to do
Every time we fight I get closer to you
Every time we cry we get closer to truth
Every time I lie I lose a moment with you
Left you confused
But I know you won’t switch sides on me
Gotta love it
Gotta tell me
When you ride on it
I know it’s getting back to you
Everything I do for you
The kind of love you get a little dirty for
The kind of love you leave
With plenty dirt on your hands
Like planting flowers
As “Planting Flowers” and “An Eye Opened” explore the tangible world surrounding the project, “Denial” introspects, creating moments of reflection in the richly layered track that reveals the duo's internal struggles. By manipulating tempo and cadence, the song stretches temporality with overwhelming crescendos and tranquil lulls, giving it a circular structure. This creates an enchanting trance as vocals and instrumentation ebb and flow with exhilarating intrigue. A climax emerges, landing the listener in the midst of a fierce storm; Abe delivers a heartfelt verse with intense urgency while seemingly surrounded by the very ghosts he sought to flee. Yet, just as the chaos peaks, it gently dissolves into a melodic outro that mirrors the song’s beginning, closing the loop and confronting what the duo has been avoiding.
Pursuing a cinematic trajectory, “Gone Are The Days” represents a confrontation, as Abe and Kin decisively face the phantoms of “Denial,” now stripped of their power. The song is backed by a folk-influenced guitar loop, evoking a modern twist on the classic standoff in a cowboy film. The song’s pace and escalating energy sway like courageously riding into battle without hesitation. Though the subject matter of “Gone Are The Days” is relatively somber, the melody and tone exude vitality and an indomitable spirit, signifying a victorious acceptance. The duo reflects on the past not with sorrow or regret but with hope for the future, emphasizing time and physical distance as markers of progress. As they sift through previous traumas, it becomes clear that peace remains elusive, yet they choose to persevere.
“Gone Are The Days” concludes with a foreboding reminder, “Don’t slow down,” and in the final track of the project, Speak Friend seemingly discovers “A Beautiful Place to Die.” This song serves as an emotional conclusion to IAJAR, as the many questions and uncertainties raised earlier in the project come to fruition. What began as expansive and filled with excitement transitions into a measured and intimate atmosphere, as the song’s production feels gentle and personal. Abe’s verses maintain a conversational tone while recounting a story that reflects a spectrum of emotions, symbolizing the entire album’s essence with both intense highs and thoughtful lows. Additionally, his voice bears minimal effects, creating the impression that his words are almost within reach and directed straight at you.
The term that resonates most throughout the IAJAR project is “grounded.” The music, lyrics, atmosphere, and recurring themes embedded in the songs delve into a profound connection to nature through sound. While one might expect a duo named Speak Friend to engage in musical dialogue
Musicians Abe the Kid and Kin River Works, based in New York City, have come together to form Speak Friend, a collaboration that offers a deeply personal exploration of music as a tool for connection and world-building. Their project, ‘IAJAR,’ employs cinematic production and captivating lyrics to craft a musical experience rich in depth and intrigue.
