Jelani Aryeh is an old soul. His music is already generational fave amongst millennials and beyond. His talents see him rising in a lush R&B folk scene that he’s single handedly helping to create. His new album The Sweater Club sees the singer in a more upbeat mood than his last album 2021’s I’ve Got Some Living To Do. The singer’s vocals are fluid and his lyrics and melodies are infectious. He knows how to combine music and fashion with a whimsical twist, thus the name he brings to his new project, The Sweater Club—due out this summer.
I sat down with Aryeh to talk music, his own a-ha moment, and meshing together two genres so effortlessly.
What was your a-ha moment that you decided to get into the music scene?
I got into music around 2016. It’s when I got playing sports hurt in high school during track season and hurt my hip. I did not know what I wanted to do with myself, and music was always around and something I always gravitated towards but didn’t think something I could do. I went to reddit, and I formed a collective, and I met one of my main collaborators on there. I wrote a song about quitting football and going into music and I think that’s what catapulted everything for me.
Your new album The Sweater Club is coming out this summer. Why name it as such and what is your favorite track off the album?
The song “Sweater Club” or “Shutter” are my favorites. I named the album The Sweater Club because each song is its own. I am inspired by fashion a lot. Every song feels like a person or different outfit.
Your music is an eclectic mix of folk meets R&B. How do you do plan to stand out in the music scene?
Just by being myself. Staying true to how I see the world. The right people will find me just by me doing my thing.
Where do you find inspiration for your lyrics? What do you think of ghostwriters?
I think ghostwriters are purposeful for a specific person if that person is specialized in melody or something else. I pride myself on authenticity and originality though. Most of the songs were written by me.
How does The Sweater Club differ from your last project, 2021’s I’ve Got Some Living To Do?
I say The Sweater Club has a fuller sound. It’s a little more sure of itself, even though I think the last album subject was melancholy and dark. I think the Sweater Club has a little more to latch onto. It’s just a different feeling.
What does success mean to you? What do you want people to take away from your music?
Being able to do what you want to do and being self-sufficient. I think it’s traveling and meeting new people through music.
I think I want people to reflect on their own lives. My music is super personal and vulnerable and I want people to explore those sides of themselves and not put up walls and distance themselves from people. I just want them to have a good time, let loose, and have a cathartic experience.
What’s next for you?
I hope a tour is in the works and definitely want to visit New York City and go overseas.
