JR Slayer’s “There is Nothing Else Around Me,” Plus New Album

Cody Votolato is somewhat of a chameleon. More specifically a chameleon whose colors range, up until recently, within the palette of punk and hardcore. His past musical projects including The Blood Brothers, Jaguar Love, and Head Wound City — the latter of which he’s still a part of — have been rooted in such aesthetics.

Started in 2017 with the album “Time Out, Crystal Heart,” Votolato’s most recent solo project goes by the nom de plume of JR Slayer. Votolato’s JR Slayer identity morphs his punk and hardcore colors into a softer shade, but for him, he wanted this project to branch out into new territory without using his actual name. “I’ve never been fully comfortable just putting ‘by Cody Votolato’ on something. I really liked the idea of having an umbrella to do it all under that’s separate from my name. I wanted it to start a new chapter, with an opportunity to not be ‘a member of’, not be ‘Cody from this or that’. It’s just JR Slayer, it’s what I do.”

For Votolato, JR Slayer is a self-described “sacred home” and “safe space” where he can explore new sounds and new parts of himself.

Indeed, it’s obvious that JR Slayer takes a step away from the typical sounds he creates and explores a new part of his musical identity. Folksy and thoughtful, the newly released single called “There is Nothing Else Around Me” teases fans awaiting his sophomore concept album, You Found Me. The single comes at just the right time as the weather gets colder. Fall and winter bring to mind the end of long days for the year, and evenings spent in the quiet. “There is Nothing Else Around Me” is a love song featuring twinkly guitar that encompasses and embraces the listener. It’s a warming, slow, and purposeful tune that has the ability to heat up and comfort, just like the love the song is about. Listen to the new track here.

In fact, You Found Me is a concept record depicting the feeling and experience of a new, overwhelming love with the specific challenge of long distance. The record, surprisingly, wasn’t planned at all. “It started with one song, and then there were three. I thought I’d make an EP, releasing them song by song, but then there were five, then nine." Votolato adds, "I would write a song and record it immediately in my bedroom in Los Angeles. I live next to a children's hospital, where helicopters are taking off and landing all day. The street is busy. I didn't worry too much about isolating the sound. Everything you hear is my life. Written and recorded in just under two months, it was apparent that the subject matter was all connected, so it had to be an album.”

The single’s lyrics are appropriately laden with atmospheric qualities that show the too-good-to-be-true feeling of a new relationship, and the melancholy associated with distance. Though fans of Votolato may be more familiar or comfortable with the harder side of his music, they’re sure to appreciate his exploration of sensitive lyricism and melody. It’s a new season for the year just as it’s a new season with new shades in Votolato’s music.

“There is Nothing Else Around Me” is available to stream on Spotify and Soundcloud, and You Found Me, set to release on February 1st, is available to pre-order on Bandcamp.

You Found Me Tracklist:

I’ll Never Leave You (ft. Jenny Lee)

There Is Nothing Else Around Me

Half Lyfe

Nothing & Nowhere To Hide

This Is Alone

I Think I Might Die

In A Sea Of Anonymity

How Could Love B So Cruel?

40 Extra Minutes In Heaven