AJ Rafael “Beautiful Escape” EP Review

AJ Rafael will be releasing his latest EP “Beautiful Escape” on April 23, 2013, which also marks his seventh year on YouTube! This EP moves on from his previous album “Red Roses”, to take us on a new journey.

You can learn more about the album, and just AJ in general, in our interview with him HERE.

The EP “Beautiful Escape” features 5 tracks:

1. Here, Tonight
2. Matchmaker
3. Jetsetter
4. Beautiful Escape
5. Goodbye (Chatham Square)

“Here, Tonight”, which served as an intro to AJ’s full length album “Red Roses”, received a very positive response and as a special treat to the fans has been written as a full length song and a part 2, to start his new EP “Beautiful Escape”. The hopeful song about falling in love is a great transition between “Red Roses” and “Beautiful Escape” as the journey in his latest EP. “Beautiful Escape” showcases different aspects of love and how, in AJ’s own words,

“There are moments in your life and relationships that are just beautiful, but they don’t end up being what you wanted them to be… and that’s OK. You can still look back at these moments and say, ‘Hey, that was a really great time, but I’m here now and I’ve moved on and life is great where I’m at’.”

The second track “Matchmaker” is a very realistic, yet optimistic, song about letting go. Sometimes relationships don’t work out but create opportunity for new relationships to grow, and this song is a wonderful positive take on that. The song holds true to the theme of the EP and remains upbeat while doing so, but not everything about falling in love is as lighthearted as the first two tracks are and AJ isn’t afraid to touch on the dark side of love.

“Jetsetter” is the darkest track on this EP showcasing the not so joyous experiences of a relationship. The instruments help guide the listener through the journey of this relationship gone wrong, transitioning from dreamy synths to intense guitar and drum beats. AJ’s vocals on this song are a bit more raw and the delivery is significantly different than anything else on the EP. AJ connects with the emotion of the song and the story within the lyrics so that the emotion comes through crystal clear.

What is also clear about this EP is the depiction of the ups and downs of love. With the ending that was experienced in “Jetsetter,” there is opportunity for new love like what is found in the fourth song, “Beautiful Escape”. This song is AJ’s favorite and serves as the EP’s title track. It’s simple, yet romantic and effective. The understated lyrics of the song showcase an unexpected love that grows quickly. Where “Jetsetter” warns the listener of the perils of love, “Beautiful Escape” is a sweet reminder of how surprising and wonderful love can be.

 “Can we get away from here away to a universe that’s not so close my dear, and in my arms you’ll stay, amazing how you take my breath away”,

If “Beautiful Escape” is the soundtrack to a journey of love, then “Goodbye(Chatham Square)” is certainly the apex of this story. As if written for a movie the song pulls from the experiences of the previous tracks to recapture the love between two people. In the song, AJ is pleading, “Don’t let this be goodbye,” but the song feels more like a discussion between two lovers than a simple plea.

 “I don’t know if I can be the perfect one for you, but all I know is that I’ll do my very best.”

The song’s vulnerability and honesty for me is the most brilliant songwriting on this EP. The honesty of the song accepts the problems that come with relationships but is a heartfelt expression of a willingness to compromise. “Goodbye(Chatham Square)” is a unique song on this EP as it showcases a more folksy side of AJ and is a perfect way to close the album.

Sounds like a must listen right? Don’t forget to either pre-order AJ Rafael’s “Beautiful Escape” or get it when it’s released on April 23rd!