[junkie-dropcap]O[/junkie-dropcap]ver the last couple years I’ve been for the most part a fan of Jaden’s music. His debut album “SYRE” is still his best work in my eyes but it’s sequel “ERYS”, while flawed, was a worthy enough follow up. I think Jaden is talented and has showcased it brilliantly multiple times. But he’s also very polarizing. His albums all seem to hit very high highs and equally low lows. Yet every time he announces a new project, it piques my interest.
So here we are with “CTV3”, the third addition to Jaden’s “Cool Tapes” series. Last year’s “The Sunset Tapes: A Cool Tapes Story” was Jaden’s most disappointing work yet in my eyes. It felt like a diversion from what I like about him in all the wrong ways. I probably wouldn’t have cared about “CTV3” at all if the singles didn’t entice me. But since “Cabin Fever” and “Rainbow Bap” were both such great songs, I gave it a chance. So let’s dive in.
The length of this tape was the most intimidating factor going into it. Extensive projects have become the norm these days, but it’ll never not bother me. Especially with a project like “CTV3”, which has a sound so consistent it blends together around the halfway mark. I don’t think it takes an expert to see where the fat could’ve been trimmed all over this thing. If this were just an EP with about 9 songs or fewer, I’d probably be telling you it’s Jaden’s best work yet.
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But for what it is, “CTV3” is still a decent listen. It drags on, but none of the songs are what I would call “bad”. A lot of them are just too lyrically and structurally similar for their own good. For example, I think “In The Hills”, “Muted Sunrise” and “Photograph” are all decent songs. But that being said, I’m not confident I could pick them out of a line-up. If there were ever such a thing as too consistent, it’s “CTV3”.
Lyrically, most of this project is spent looking back fondly at an old flame. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, especially when the presentation is as pretty as “Circa 2015” or “Falling For You”. But what this thing really could’ve benefited from is a progression of some sort. It serves as a prequel to “SYRE” but it doesn’t take us there or present any new information in the “lore”. (As much as I like concept albums, therefore music with lore behind it falls short. Unless you’re Gorillaz) “CTV3” is like a smooth drive on a long straight road with no destination. It’s nice in the moment but there’s no payoff.
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I have to say Jaden’s vocals throughout this project are the best part of the trip for me. “Falling For You”, “LUCY!” and “In The Hills” among others all feel enhanced by Jaden’s voice. The spacey layering put on his singing for the hooks add to the catchiness factor and just make everything really appealing. There’s a peacefulness to this tape that I couldn’t help but latch on to. I think the strong Beatles influence plays a big role in that aspect.
When Jaden trades the singing for rapping, he’s gotten a little better there as well. He still throws in the occasional odd lyric (something about “World Of Warcraft fetishes”?) but his flow and delivery both sound honed. “Rainbow Bap” and “Young In Love” have impressive flows and rhyme schemes to them for Jaden. I think he shows devotion to getting better as an artist even when his execution is lacking.
Don’t Mind Them, Megan.
But overall, that’s all there really is to “CTV3”. Jaden’s effort to improve as a performer is noticeable. Admirable, even. But he’s got a long way to go. “CTV3” lacks variety and direction. Even for their flaws, “SYRE” and “ERYS” have at least those traits going for them. I like a lot of these songs personally but through a critical lens, “CTV3” is too long and repetitive to praise too highly.
Though I don’t know where Jaden’s going from here, I still see potential. Especially if he stays on this alternative wave. It’s a lane that fits him well and helps separate him from the artists he’s so often been called a derivative of. But I suppose only time will tell.
