Multi-instrumentalist producer Ray Alex collaborates with West London poet Jayda David on ‘Repose’, his first release of 2023. Jayda David has appeared on BBC Radio London, Link UP TV, Complex UK, Hypebeast and collaborated with the brand Timberland. Her poetry and performances have also been featured on the official BFI platform and London Live.
Ray Alex’s music has appeared in Disclosure’s Record Bag, Clash Magazine, First Word Records and Souletiquette playlists. Ray has also produced songs that have appeared in New Music Friday, Ministry Of Sound, Independent and Complex UK. Ray Alex also co-wrote and performed on songs from Julia Romana’s debut album ‘Blood Be Fluid’ released in 2022.
lyrics
I must trust my weight,
have faith in the density of my bones,
the strength of which has been honed by a long line of anchored women, on my mother’s side,
must remember i am my mother’s pride,
birthed wide of fear of breaking,
I break time and time again,
collating these bones, i tether to marrow,
and tomorrow I’m together again,
staunch, stable, solid,
I’ll probably let myself get carried away, again,
if I’m honest,
my weight fluctuates but i never succumb to the dictation of those trying to prove their strength,
I am Thor’s hammer,
light for hands I deem worthy,
heavy for dark souls who yearn to hurt me,
not so easy to pick up,
so could never be easy to put down,
I carry myself firmly on the ground,
Sands of time turn shards of glass in hot hand,
I’ve cut and bled,
tryna catch up on missed time,
Managed to stay soft through hardship,
still grounded, feet planted,
touching stars has never been my goal,
can’t move me, can’t break me,
this soul knows where’s it going,
steady growing, i just flow through time,
meet me in a dream and move your body in tandem with mine,
shout so you can hear me above the waves,
I'm ready to to float now, show me how to fighting,
Sands of time turn shards of glass in hot hand,
I’ve cut and bled,
tryna catch up on missed time,
I jump in deep ends knowing that i can’t swim,
never get warm if you only go half in,
guess I’m scared of drowning in my own tears,
but fear more the thought of you not knowing how to save me,
Sands of time turn shards of glass in hot hand,
I’ve cut and bled,
tryna catch up on missed time,
I kneel to the weaknesses in me,
strength has never felt so good,
I guess power is birthed,
in moments of fragility
tears amongst a smile
rain splits the light and
what a saving grace it is
to once again see the colours of life,
so vividly,
to once again see the colours of life,
so vividly,
credits
from Repose (feat. Jayda David),
released January 27, 2023
Produced by Ray Alex
Performed by Jayda David and Ray Alex
Mixed and Mastered by Brett Shaw
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