Jelani Aryeh Shares the Feeling of Detachment That Inspired New Single, ‘Sweater Club’
23-year-old alt-rock artist Jelani Aryeh is the creative mind behind superhits including "Stella Brown," "Marigold" and "From These Heights," and his new single, "Sweater Club," is poised to be another viral sensation.
Featuring chill guitars and hazy vocals, it's a song about feeling apathetic and detached from life while yearning to fully step back into yourself. Combining an energetic beat with a melancholy mood, it perfectly conveys the emotion of watching your own life fly past you, and we can't get enough. It's also set to appear on Jelani's sophomore album, The Sweater Club, arriving this summer, and we got the chance to chat with Jelani all about the song and what's coming up next in the interview below.
The Story Behind 'Sweater Club'
Jelani Aryeh: "Sweater Club" comes from a place of detachment. It kind of sums up how I felt emotionally throughout late 2021 to the top of last year. Every day felt like I was waking up in somebody else's body, starting all the way back at zero. It's like standing at the rear of a room with your back attached to the wall and you're just watching life pass by in a blur. I think it comes from a similar place as "From These Heights," but instead of talking about the bad things happening in the world, it's directed at myself.
What 'Sweater Club' Means
JA: Instrumentally, "Sweater Club" feels like childhood, which I think is an element I always subconsciously strive for in my music. Lyrically, I'd say it's an honest snapshot of my life living alone in L.A. from summer of '21 to summer of '23. I think it highlights the parts of my personality I'm most ashamed of. It's not a happy song, but it calls for change. It's all there is left to do when you've self-isolated and distanced yourself from the people who care about you. I hope it makes people reflect on the love they currently have in their lives—the people that genuinely care about them, the experiences that make them who they are. It's easy to wallow and self-sabotage, but there's a gleam of hope in this song.
(Photo credit: Silken Weinberg)
Also read about: Kacey Fifield Pretends Not to Care on Her New Single, 'Never Reply'
Jelani's Favorite Lyric
JA: "Most the people in my life are out of my life." It's quite strange that it's my favorite lyric, but it's the most honest thing I've been able to bring myself to say in a while. In the past I've failed to establish clear boundaries in friendships/relationships, and I felt like I often gave too much of myself. As a person of extremes, I countered by going completely the other way and self-isolated to somehow protect myself.
On Kicking Off 2024 With 'Sweater Club'
JA: I think it goes back to honesty. It just feels real to me, whereas songs like "I'm in Love" feel less intimate, like there's still walls I can hide behind. "Sweater Club" feels like I'm butt naked in the Chicago wind. The song also feels like late winter, early spring. Reminds me of brisk mornings where I can drive to water all bundled up.
(Photo credit: Silken Weinberg)
On 'Sweater Club' and His Upcoming Project
JA: Well, it shares the name of the album, The Sweater Club, (but not in meaning). I think it's just one of the many outfits/characters of this album. There's a little something for every moment and mood to choose from.
Also read about: Gabi Sklar Finds Closure in the Aftermath of a Breakup on New Single 'Youniverse'
What's Next
JA: The album! Tour of the States and working on Europe. Lots of collabs and maybe some remixes 🙂
(Photo credit: Silken Weinberg)
Final Thoughts
JA: The title had nothing to do with the song, but it reminded me of the bands I was listening to while making it—like The Innocence Mission, The Postal Service and The Sundays! And, of course, I couldn't have made it without my boys Jack Kolbe and Alex Craig who produced it (and most of the album)!
For more insights from our favorite artists on new music, click HERE to read our interview with Kayla DiVenere on her latest single, "Small Talk."