Tekowa Lakica & Jus Lovehall

After releasing four seductive previews over the course of March, jus lovehall and Tekowa Lakica have birthed the entirety of their visual EP into the world. MILEAGE, in all of its less than ten minutes of glory, is a wondrous ride and journey brought to life through the marriage of sound, prose and enchanting imagery. The EP includes the previously released “FERN,” “BLESSED,” “DIMES” and “STRANGERS,” as well as “FOR MY LOVE” and “KWALITY TIME.” In addition to the six acts, MILEAGE also features a fun intermission, highlighted by the display of a natural relationship that exists between the stars of the EP.

MILEAGE is unique in its coupling of a completely DIY mentality – revealed prominently during “*INTERMISSION*” – with an engaging narrative, told through the music and the visionary visual manifestations that accompany each track. When the edits are stripped away, viewers are opened to how, for lack of a better term, basic the set up was for the featured scenes. But, outside of “*INTERMISSION*,” everything appears so high-quality, professional and, quite frankly, magical. You’ll find yourself wrapped up in the different scenes, captivated by the use of colors to capture each cuts underlying theme and energy. And you’ll become betrothed with the story at hand – thanks in no small part to the chemistry between Lakica and jus lovehall, it is easy for the audience to buy into and become invested in each character.

And then there’s the music, which I simply can not praise enough – the only shortcoming is the length, but the shortness of each track serves its purpose and keeps the attention of the viewer throughout the entire span of MILEAGE. Greedily, I want more. Yet I accept that MILEAGE, as a complete package, transcends the music in and of itself – the purpose of the project is contained with each intricately placed shot, edit, fade and abrupt conclusion. Tekowa and jus both deliver the content smoothly, their vocals working to encompass the rest of the EP in a warm, comforting blanket – it’s easy to sink back and let the EP overtake you, entering into a trance-like state as it plays through.

From the time “STRANGERS” dropped, I’ve been looking forward to enjoying the full product. And MILEAGE certainly does not disappoint: the music, the visuals, the energy and everything in between make for a satisfyingly enigmatic listening/viewing experience.

Production on MILEAGE comes courtesy of foisey., Wrex Mason, Go Yama and toonorth.

MILEAGE will be available on all major streaming platforms sometime this month.

Press play on the visual EP below. - Hxppy Thxxghts

Whoa.

If there’s a project on the way that’s about to make some waves and shake things up a little bit, this is it. Whether it’s locally or beyond the borders of CT, the forthcoming visual EP from jus lovehall and Tekowa Lakica is looking as though it’ll be a testament to pushing boundaries and leveling up – both visually and sonically.

The duo provided the first taste of the EP in the form of “Strangers (Chopped Not Slopped)” earlier in March and they have since fueled anticipation with the release of two teasingly intriguing clips via Instagram and Twitter. The first came last week as jus liberated the foisey-produced “Dimes”, while the Wrex Mason-produced “Fern” found life yesterday. From the music and accompanying visual associated with each joint, to the artwork attached to the releases, there is not a single thing not to like – it’s beautiful, seductive, enigmatic and beyond aesthetically pleasing.

“Dimes” is wrapped in a golden yellow, leaving both Tekowa and jus looking as though they’re completely enveloped in an aura of sunshine. And the track itself sounds like what the sun, at its peak in the sky, might sound like if it had theme music. With foisey’s instrumentation paving the smooth foundation upon which Lakica lays her dreamlike vocals, “Dimes” leaves listeners feeling lifted – a natural high that only music can manifest. As captivating as the preview is, we’re left frustrated in the end as “Dimes” concludes with striking shots of jus lovehall. It’s as though jus and Tekowa are taunting the viewer with the knowing that there is more to come – we, as the viewer, must find the virtue that is patience as we await the full EP.

Although the vocals on “Fern” never feel abrasive, there is a more impassioned delivery from both jus and Tekowa. Appropriately represented with green imagery, “Fern” erupts with a notable raw and earthy vibe – the backdrop Wrex provides on “Fern” is of a higher energy than “Dimes”, which suits the animalistic essence encompassing the latest release. Tucked between the smooth crooning, Lakica provides atmospheric spoken word that is at once jarring and enchanting. Again, you’ll have a hunger for more as you run the visual back in hopes it lasts longer the next time through.

Watch “Dimes” and “Fern” below via jus lovehall’s Twitter. - Hxppy Thxxghts

With the release of their visual EP taking place any day now, jus lovehall and Tekowa Lakica drop off one more preview as the anticipation of experiencing the project in full continues to grow. “Blessed,” the fourth intimate look at the upcoming EP, is certainly as much of a tease as the previous three drops, working to fully capture the attention and curiosity of the viewer while still leaving so much to be desired.

The foisey-produced “Blessed” is a cool, sensual vibe of a record, the snippet provided highlighted by Lakica’s angelic vocals. As she sways about, there is an otherworldly aura surrounding her – it’s as though the music is moving through her; her physical becoming a vehicle through which the delivery is channeled. With Tekowa’s voice standing prominently in the foreground, jus taps the song with light vocals, more spoken than sung.

Utilizing a black and white color scheme, with a little grayness added in, the video is unique in its placement of both artists – rather than remain in their respective places, they intermittently flash back and forth from the left to the right. And, while both are vibing along to the track, there is an energetic contrast on display as Tekowa appears slightly more alive when juxtaposed with the somber, lost-in-though demeanor of jus lovehall.

The EP is coming in March and we’ve only got three days left in the month, so look for the complete project sometime this weekend. For now, you can watch “Blessed” below via jus’ Twitter. - Hxppy Thxxghts

With MILEAGE out now, jus lovehall and Tekowa Lakica make moves to jump start the inevitable as they drop their official entry into the ongoing NPR Tiny Desk Contest. Alongside RUDY (guitar), Aaron Cotterell (drums), Benjamin Gelfand (bass) and Dakota Austin (keys), the hypnotic duo vibe through a medley of their recent visual EP at born&bred in Hartford, CT.

Much like the EP itself, the live performance comes to life as Lakica and lovehall smoothly croon over the light, comforting instrumentation. It’s a soft twist on the already enchanting collection of sonic vibrations, somehow flipping the original sounds into a unique experience unto itself. The submission medley is fun, pure and worthy of a seat at the Tiny Desk.

MILEAGE is available now on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify.

Watch the video below. - Hxppy Thxxghts