We’ve been waiting a long time for this one. Brooklyn artist SAINt JHN has been putting in work for years, releasing excellent songs like “Roses,” “Reflex,” and “3 Below,” while putting in work behind the scenes as a songwriter for artists like Usher, Joey Badass, and Jidenna.
As a solo performer, he’s always shown star potential and never seemed like an artist destined to stay behind the scenes. SAINt JHN’s music has a unique, catchy sound, and his natural charismatic confidence give his songs a dynamic energy that’s difficult to ignore. Now, finally, his first album is here.
“I think of music as just an assortment,” he told Fuse late last year, explaining the project’s title. “This is my first offering, so it’s Collection 1. Like Alexander Wang you just go to see Alexander Wang AW18. This is Collection 1 by SAINt JHN.” With his usual confidence, he added, “If you listen to music with your ears, your heart, and your titties out, I’m the one.”
Over the course of the 13-song album collection, SAINt JHN delivers a top-to-bottom consistent effort that builds on the appeal of the singles and proves what we expected all along: He’s the kind of artist who can carry an entire project on his own. The patience paid off. This is an excellent debut. You can hear Collection 1 on iTunes/Apple Music here or via Spotify below.