the 23-There’s a new wind blowing out of the Windy City, and it’s toting Joey P.’s indisputable sound well into 2025. with his latest solo single, “BIRDWATCHER,” year-old African American singer-songwriter opens up one of the doorways into a silky, soul-inflected meditation on purpose and presence served with the sort of swagger that’s a bi-product of four solid years in the game.
Off his sixth EP, DYING TO LIVE, “BIRDWATCHER,” as the second track isn’t a vibe. It is a statement. In classic Joey P. fashion, he intermixes his signature R&B/hip-hop production style with his buttery vocals soaring over a minimal yet contagious beat. This time, there’s something else in play. Emotionally, “BIRDWATCHER” feels like ascension as evidence that Joey isn’t just growing but soaring.
The spell is reinforced with a weighty guest verse from his older brother, Bryn J, injecting a touch of grit and gravity into the song’s atmospheric allure. The familial connection adds a richer subtext to the already navel-gazing track, which manages to sound personal but universal. There is chemistry here, and it’s not just musical it’s blood-deep.
Clocking in as part of DYING TO LIVE, Joey’s latest EP feels like a thank-you note to his expanding audience. With over 25,000 streams from 116 countries in 2024 alone, Joey P. isn’t a rising independent act. He’s a global name in the making. “BIRDWATCHER” conveys hunger and a feeling of peace. Joey is no longer chasing success. He’s finding his space in it.