Joce Reyome is not new to the music industry, but their recent release Smoke Break brings a breath of fresh air to it. While the EP is short, it is certainly also sweet, sultry and real. Featuring Reyome’s raw and passionate vocals, bombastic guitar riffs and bass lines that hold all the pieces together, Smoke Break is not something you’re going to want to miss. Reyome has been involved in the music scene for the past decade, and with their recent domination in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, they have cemented their place as an artist to keep track of. Reyome, born in Massachusetts, moved to PEI to attend Holland College to pursue music. Since then, they have been nominated four times for the PEI Music Awards, and recently they have signed with Strada, a UK based music agency.
Smoke Break is the perfect taste of all Reyome’s talents. Most apparent throughout the album are their vocal and guitar skills. Reyome is able to not only tread a careful line between raw and vulnerable, but abandon the line altogether to give a shocking, vibrant and moving performance. “I Don’t Miss You”, the album opener, while obviously showing off Reyome’s singing also prominently showcases their talent on guitar. Starting off slow and reserved, Reyome blasts into an ear melting solo, and to put it simply, it rocks. Reyome’s vocal talents are explored in every song, but none more so than in the track, “Alligator,” which was recorded during one of their live shows. Reyome commands the performance with velvety verses and chaotic choruses. It is truly a master class of vocal performance, and knowing this was recorded live makes it all the more stunning and impressive.
Another great song on the album, and my personal favourite, is “Sell my Soul,” which is reminiscent of every crossroads, deal-with-the-devil song, but Reyome brings such passion and wild emotion to the track, it stands apart from the crowd. Something that shines in this song is the bass, as it keeps everything tethered to the earth. If it wasn’t such a stable and present piece of the composition, I fear the song would be swept away with all of Reyome’s vigor and ferocity. The bass that acts as the anchor, allowing Reyome to really explore the full breadth of their vocal range. Reyome closes Smoke Break with “Party Line”. This is the perfect end to the album, as it brings together all of the elements showcased in the earlier tracks. Reyome combines the vocals, the guitar, the bass, and all of the spirit and joy they’ve curated over the course of the EP. Overall, this EP is exciting, turbulent, and above all else, earnest. Reyome pours in their truth and leaves everything on the table on each track.