Brooklyn-based artist James Ross K shows in his latest single "Way Up" that you don't have to choose between introspection and infectiousness in pop. Building on the momentum of his last track, "Way Up," the latest iteration heightens the emotional temperature with sparkling production, slick beats, and a lyrical gaze that homes in on the chaos of modern life.
"Way Up" is a sleek, clean-cut indie pop gem, glossy, beat-forward, and easy on the ears. James hovers above the noise literally, healable in a mental cloud of his making. The song's central lyric is both a hook and a mission statement. "Way Up" is about keeping afloat. It's pop for the people dealing with anxiety, burnout, and the weird normalcy of our current times. It's escapism and realism packed into one lyrical package that doesn't demand you shut out the world, but instead invites you to live through it with a bit of rhythm and a whole lot of soul.
The song resides at the intersection of adult contemporary cool and alt-pop edge. High-gloss production lends it propulsion, but there's an emotional undercurrent that keeps it grounded. It's that rare balance, catchy without being empty, thoughtful without being heavy-handed. For James Ross K, "Way Up" sounds like a statement of intent. A declaration that things are strange and frequently frightening, but we are still here, still dancing, still dreaming. It's a sturdy strain of pop, and in its modest way, it lands like an anthem for anybody hoping to elevate themselves above the insanity without compromising who they are.
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