Review: "Lately" - Jess Ball x Jelani Blackman

Jazz Williams
2 hours ago
2 min read

Lately Jess Ball Jelani Blackman Cover Art

Jess Ball and Jelani Blackman’s new song, Lately, is an alternative/pop rap song about wanting your ex to see you for who you are now, not for the person you used to be. None of us want to be judged for our past mistakes because we already have to live with the guilt of those mistakes. Our regrets weigh heavy on the heart. It’s especially difficult when the people you love are the judge and jury. A part of maturing is changing, growing, and becoming a better person/partner. All of us deserve a chance to show others we've changed and all of us should have the humility to hold space for that growth because no one is perfect.

Lately starts with Jess singing over an acoustic strum and immediately switching to Jelani’s melodic rap before the final chorus comes back in louder with more pronounced instrumentation. I appreciate this line, “I’ve been a bitch. I’ve been a dick baby. I don’t blame you if you feel you hate me. But can I ask that you don’t mistake me for who I was as who I am lately?”, because of how straightforward it is in a song full of self-reflective moments. I love the unique element the melodic rap adds and how much passion is being expressed throughout. It is one of the more unique songs I’ve reviewed this year and would highly recommend it.

Jess Ball is an Australian singer and songwriter based in Melbourne. She is inspired by Cigarettes After Sex, Massive Attack, and Olivia Dean which shows in her music as she blends pop, indie rock, and hip hop. Before her solo career, she was a featured vocalist for numerous EDM artists. Jelani Blackman is a rapper and singer from London, England. He is heavily influenced by soul, R&B, and grime and has worked with other artists including Burna Boy and Wolf Alice. His music is fun with deep lyrical content particularly that of the reality of being a young black man in inner city London.