Jonathan OrtizLet the journey begin. Through your everyday life, straight for the goals you set yourself years ago. Toward anything at all, really; you never know where it’ll take you. Jeremy Oleson is a prime example: his journey as Blue Future began three years ago, and today the buzz surrounding his work, most notably his recent Surviving the Times EP, is both tangible and something to be damn proud of.
What stands out most about this 4-track project isn’t just its rounds of enlightened lyricism or the clear compositional dexterity displayed at every turn. It’s the way Oleson channels his experience as an artist – from the decision to chase a dream to the later struggles inherent in that process – into an opus of distinct clarity that can inspire that same pursuit in other artists.
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It all begins with “The Journey,” a gritty blues-rock track dangling street-wise rhymes between the lines of Chicago rapper Too iLL’s lyrics. His words carry courage at their core, wielding the moxie needed to confront the everyday obstacles of being an artist. “A day in my shoes is like walking with broken toes, worn soles, Lord knows I carry this weight alone,” he raps. Blue Future amplifies this courage through a bold guitar riff riding over his signature glitched-out synths, culminating in Too iLL’s final resolve, “Here goes everything and nothing, let the journey begin.”
“When we listen to our music we are escaping from this, and in a way going to a place that is more true to who we are on the inside. Our music is more of who we actually want to be.” – Jeremy Oleson (Blue Future)
Courage turns to daringness in “So Far Away,” both musically and lyrically. Oleson brings an unbridled bounce to this track, pushing the guitar to the rhythmic background and bringing the low-ends out to play. The words “It’s so close, but it’s so far away. That’s why I grind every day. Don’t care what you have to say,” propel this track far into the sonic atmosphere, where Blue Future’s authentic excitement for his own creations abound. From here, “Too Much On My Mind” marches forward with a reverberating bass drum, inviting a more collected and determined mindset take charge.
STREAM/DOWNLOAD ‘SURVIVING THE TIMES’ EP!
“Down the Line” is the EP’s concluding composition, and it exudes established energy, an undeniable confidence that there’s nothing more to prove than what it already is: the final stop on an unforgettable journey through art. Whether or not this is Oleson’s musical prophecy of where he will be in years to come – an accomplished musician with a proud portfolio and an inspired fanbase – remains to be seen. But with eight albums, a beat tape, and a healthy selection of remixes currently under his belt in just three years, we’d say the man has a bright future.