French producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Vincent Fenton, aka FKJ, is proud to announce his new EP ‘Ylang Ylang’: it is the product of a tumultuous 2019, which saw FKJ move across the world in search of a change in environment and a new lifestyle.
Ahead of the release, FKJ released lead single ‘Risk’ featuring the inimitable talent of Dreamville signed (J Cole, Ari Lennox and J.I.D.) rapper Bas. The collaboration was born from an emotionally complex time for FKJ- it is an expression of feeling and catharsis. ‘Risk’ fuses FKJ’s blissful productions with the heady wordplay of Bas. It is a gorgeous collaboration and a striking example of FKJ’s skill as both an artist and a producer.
It is the sound of FKJ at his most intimate and stripped back- spiralling solos are supplanted by skeletal beats and hushed vocals. Title track ‘Ylang Ylang’ is representative of FKJ’s feelings whilst creating the EP: it begins as an elegiac piano instrumental before graceful electronics are added to the track. It’s the sound of technical wizardry being bypassed for emotional complexity.
‘100 Roses’ is one of the more beat-driven tracks on ‘Ylang Ylang’ but still retains the soulful heart of the EP. The track is built around subtly distorted vocals, swirling guitars and a nuanced groove. ‘Brother’ is in stark contrast with this, paring everything back leaving FKJ’s voice front and centre.
Aside from his solo work, FKJ has collaborated with many other artists, including Masego whom he flew out to Paris to jam with on an improvised track that would later become the hit song “Tadow” which garnered over 154 million views on Youtube and over 93 million streams on Spotify date. He has now amassed over 300 million streams for his 2017 debut album ‘French Kiwi Juice’ and his previous EPs. He’s also collaborated with many brilliant artists including Tom Misch, Jordan Rakei, ((( O ))), Tom Bailey, and more.
FKJ recently performed his largest UK show to date at a sold out Brixton o2 Academy, as well as performing numerous sold-out shows across Europe. With the release of ‘Ylang Ylang’ he is only set to grow from here.
