Stockholm-based singer-songwriter, Patrik Jean, has just dropped his new, highly-anticipated EP. Consequence follows on from the release of his last single from the EP, ’24’ – which landed in Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist across 15 separate countries – and is led up by the collection’s title-track.
Produced by Herman Gardarfve, the lead track of the EP is the heartbreaking anthem ‘Consequence’ – a song about the fear of investing in new relationships, after experiencing the consequences of previous ones – and showcases more of that bright and soaring aesthetic he has been creating throughout his career so far. Filled with rich and dynamic production, a sweeping melody, and his own powerful vocals, this new delight makes for the perfect introduction to his latest body of work.
“Even when I try not to, I always tend to come back to writing about love,” says the artist. “Especially about heartbreak. That’s how I wrote the title track, ‘Consequence’. I was inspired by a time when I truly wanted to open my heart again, but I was so hesitant because of my past relationship. After I wrote that song, the whole idea for the EP was born. I started thinking about the different consequences of love and wanted to release both happy and sad love songs. Just as love can really suck sometimes, it can also be freaking awesome. And just as with my writing, you always seem to come back to it.”
“I was inspired by a time when I truly wanted to open my heart again, but I was so hesitant because of my past relationship. After I wrote that song, the whole idea for the EP was born.”
The video for the lead single centres on the sticky-taped layout of an apartment, which gradually gets boxed up. The final scene, focused on Jean sweeping up a broken cup, feels incredibly poignant. “My boyfriend, Magnus Ragnvid, happens to be an amazingly talented photographer. Since this is such an intimate song, we decided to do the whole thing just the two of us. There was a lot of work behind it but we had so much fun doing it.”
We first got to know Patrik Jean’s music through other artists. He’s been making his way as a songwriter for the last six years writing for names like James Arthur, Felix Jaehn and TV shows like Idol. “The first time I co-wrote the winner single for Swedish Idol is a moment I’ll never forget. Being in that arena and seeing the joy of the winner while singing our song in a rain of confetti was priceless. Another personal favourite is ‘Amsterdam’ with Grace Davies.”
Since 2018 he’s been releasing his most personal songs himself as an independent artist, and now has half a million listeners per month. “I’m a bit of a control freak. Releasing independently has been the best way for me to be involved all the way from idea to release.” Jean spent this year writing new material and experimenting with his sound, resulting in these latest two singles and EP. “Every song on the EP is very personal and special to me. Obviously, ‘Consequence’ means a lot, since I named the whole EP after it. But personally, ‘Come Through’ is also a standout. That song is more about self-acceptance and facing your emotions. It’s very much inspired by my coming-out process.”
“Personally, ‘Come Through’ is also a standout. That song is more about self-acceptance and facing your emotions. It’s very much inspired by my coming-out process.”
When it comes to work, he prefers to stick to his tight-knit team. “For most of my own music I like to keep it small, with just me and a producer. The people I work with the most have now become my close friends, which I love. They just get me, you know? We can just have fun and be creative, without the prestige or expectations.”
Speaking of how his songwriting has evolved over time: “Well, my first songs were truly shit, hehe. But I needed to write those to tell what’s good and what’s bad. I also needed to figure who I was as a person before I could figure out which stories I wanted to tell, and how I wanted to tell them. A big change was when I came out as gay. Before that I was too scared to dig deep, so the lyrics and the emotion of the songs were far from what they are today.”
Patrik Jean has always been influenced by great singers. “Apart from the classic legends like Whitney, I listen to singers like Sam Smith, Khalid and Frank Ocean. My latest obsession is Summer Walker.” He’s also managing to be inspired by the situation across the world right now. “I see a lot of hurt, but I also see a lot of hope and determination. I have the privilege of still being able to work to some extent, and I mean to do that as hard as I can.”
Although, much like everyone else living through the current pandemic, he admits that it’s hard to plan more than a few weeks ahead. “I’m trying to do the best of this weird state we’re in, and just create. Right now I’m just hoping the projects I have won’t have to be cancelled. I’m actually already working on new music that I hope to release in the beginning of next year. But I’m also gonna try to stay in the moment, and enjoy the release of this EP that I absolutely love.”
Patrik Jean made his debut on national TV in Sweden, last Friday, performing two songs from the EP on Go’Kväll.
His Consequence EP is out now.
Photo: Magnus Ragnvid