JayO Walks navigates the intense project ‘Hue’.

      JayO is making significant progress. His debut EP ‘WHOSDATE’ was released a few months ago, marking the emergence of this daring British-Nigerian artist. His lyrics offer deep introspection, paired with production that caters to club environments, showcasing his multifaceted artistry.

      Now, with the new EP ‘Hue’, the title reflects the strong visual aspect inherent in his music – JayO perceives music in terms of colors, a skill that enables him to blur genre lines and create a distinctive sound.

      The recent track ‘Turning Me On’ became a summer hit, reimagining a classic from Marques Houston. Additionally, the fan favorite ‘Attendance’ features on the new EP, where JayO taps into afro-house influences for those smooth electronic vibes.

      In a statement, he notes: “Hue, my second EP, serves as my exploration of the word ‘hue’, merging music with color.”

      Now available, JayO discussed the EP with Clash – listen to it below and read his thoughts…

      I would describe the sound as shifting across various genres… R&B, Afrobeats, pop, and house – but it’s quite experimental. There’s also a strong sense of nostalgia present.

      The project engages with the concept of synaesthesia – the notion that stimulating one sense can involuntarily evoke another. In this context, hearing music translates into seeing colors. Each of the four tracks corresponds to its unique hue.

      Most of these songs originated in my home, where I develop the majority of my initial concepts.

      ‘Attendance’ – represented by violet pulse

      ‘Attendance’ kicks off the EP, embodying the deep energy associated with the color ‘violet’ – a hue that is both commanding and reflective. This uptempo track features Afrobeat percussion and house rhythms.

      For me, being “in attendance” signifies being fully present, immersing myself in situations where external influences feel immediate and authentic. Lines like “my eyes red can you feel my pain” and “outside I’m spending” illustrate that urgency. Here, violet captures the twilight vibe – a blend of mystery and intention.

      —

      ‘Baby Girl’ – represented by amber and orange

      This is one of my favorite productions from ‘HUE’. ‘Baby Girl’ radiates in shades of amber and orange, warm and romantic… hard to overlook. I created the track during a TikTok live session – I returned home from an event and went live to about 40 viewers. I stayed up from 1am to 11am crafting it. By sampling Gyptian’s Hold You – a song I grew up with and that feels timeless – I was able to create something that resonates today. The orange in the Hue palette conveys confidence alongside affection, and this track embodies both qualities.

      —

      ‘Pure Water’ – represented by ocean blue

      ‘Pure Water’ flows in shades of ocean blue – soothing, fresh, and clear.

      It began with layered vocals, experimenting with texture before Juice (producer and guitarist) provided a loop that set the foundation. A year later, I revisited it with my producer RZ. The title draws from African street water, but here it symbolizes women – highlighting how a woman can embody water in its purest essence. The blue in this project offers a refreshing tone, washing over the listener before the intensity builds again.

      —

      ‘Turning Me On’ – represented by vibrant green

      The EP concludes with vibrant green – the color of attraction, movement, and undeniable chemistry. While in the studio with the production duo Sons of Sonix, they played Marques Houston’s ‘Clubbin’, and that made an impact. The drums and main melody were crafted for motion… the guitar and sample held so much nostalgia… I had to incorporate them. I added my own twist, combining that familiarity with an Afro-swing vibe. Here, green symbolizes not just growth – but also a signal to move forward.