Caye Reveals How Debut Album We Love Is Based on His Personal Mantra and ‘A Way of Life’

With his knack for fusing genres and his signature falsetto, singer-songwriter and producer Caye has a sound that's one-of-a-kind and unmistakably his own, and it's never been better than on his new debut album, We Love.

The self-produced album dropped today, blending hip-hop and jazz sensibilities with calypso and reggae beats and instrumentation to create a sound that's distinctly Caye. Not everyone could incorporate instruments from around the world, from didgeridoos to steel drums, while maintaining the same feel-good, transcendent vibes throughout, but Caye never falters as he reminds us all of the power of loving with purpose. It didn't take us long to be mesmerized, and we had the pleasure of chatting with Caye to learn more about the We Love ethos, and why this debut album is so important to him.

Sweety High: What does the album name We Love mean to you? Why did that title track feel like the perfect summation of this group of songs?

Caye: We Love is a mantra. It's a way of life. There's a lot of noise in our lives, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is love and relationships—time spent with these people that mean the most to you. We Love is a reminder of that. In my close circle, even, we use "we love" as a different way of saying "bye" or "peace." We love.

 

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SH: What do you feel are the overarching themes of the album? What kind of feel do you hope fans take away from it?

Caye: The album cover illustrates the idea that there are three important currencies to humans: love, time and money. This album explores the human experience and weighs those three things, asking the big question, what's most important, and finding solace in togetherness. I've learned over the years that music can be interpreted in many, many different ways. I hope that fans take away exactly what they need from these songs in the moment that they're listening. Hopefully, as they continue listening, that meaning will evolve and become deeper. I also hope they tell me what the songs mean to them, because oftentimes, that will change and deepen what these songs mean to me!

(Image courtesy of Caye)

 

SH: How would you describe the album's sound? Production-wise, how did you go about bringing these tracks to life?

Caye: I really just went with what sounded good and true to me when I was producing the album. I've spent years of my career working with different artists and brands, and on my own music to continue developing my skills as a producer. I'm at a point now where I feel like I really understand what I like, what I don't, and most importantly, what I'm drawn to. It's pretty special being able to take an idea and translate it to sound. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so I spent tons of time working out every detail, making sure every sound matched the mood and emotion. It was just a lot of time and love.

 

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SH: How do you feel that these songs represent where you are in life right now?

Caye: I think that this is the most honest and authentic project I've made. As I said, I spent a lot of time thinking about every detail and making sure it all felt true. That goes for not only how the music sounds but also the content of the lyrics. We Love offers a pretty detailed view into my heart, my head, and my feelings.

(Image courtesy of Caye)

 

SH: What's your favorite song on the album? Why?

Caye: Asking to pick a favorite is like picking a favorite child. They're all my babies. Each song hits me differently at different times. Some days one is my favorite, and then it will switch to the next. I think it all depends on what mood I'm in while listening.

 

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SH: Was there anything that surprised you about the process of recording and producing your debut album?

Caye: Absolutely. I learned so much throughout the process. I learned that it takes a really long time to create a project that I'm happy with. That time is your friend, and while it's good to set deadlines, it's also important to give something as much time as it needs. And that I love traveling while creating. I'm always inspired when I'm in a new place.

(Image courtesy of Caye)

 

SH: How are you feeling about releasing this debut album to the world?

Caye: It feels amazing. A bit scary—but amazing. Up until this project, I hadn't released music since 2020, and most of those songs were written well before then. It's a never-ending battle, because every time I'm ready to put one record out, there are new ones I'm working on that I'm really excited about and inspired by. I want to make sure, though, that I'm taking listeners on the same journey that I'm going through creatively. I easily write a dozen records for every one that I release, so this album is the culmination of a lot of hard work in the studio. And I'm truly proud of this album. I think that my 13 years of experience writing and producing have given me the tools to finally be able to create true, pure, honest music. I feel like We Love represents me, is honest, and is authentic to who I am today.

(Image courtesy of Caye)

 

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SH: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Caye: Come see me on tour! Experiencing the live show will be totally different than streaming these records, and I can't wait to share that. The tour runs from March 1 until April 1!

(Image courtesy of Caye)

 

For even more on the new music that has us hooked, click HERE to read our interview with Rachel Grae on her viral single "How Dare You."