‘This Just In’ marks our point of entry into Michael James’ eclectic aural universe. Hailing from Philadelphia, James can be considered a musical shapeshifter of sorts, a talented guitarist, singer and songwriter hopping from project to project following whichever genre he’s feeling the most at a given time. The latest Michael James moniker is his most soulful and elegant adventure so far, a deep dive into jazz-leaning soul goodness and poppy, uplifting melodies. That’s exactly what ‘This Just In’ stands for.
A four-track effort, the EP sees James embarking on a nostalgic, tender and bright sonic journey, one that starts from ‘Aretha’… isn’t that a prophetic title? A gentle saxophone enters the arrangement with its retro and polished allure, pairing well with the organic, human-driven band underpinning the whole EP. ‘Two’s a Crowd’ feels perhaps a tad more casual, especially in its intro; it’s a slice of poised, delicate easy-listening luxury. It’s here that we can fully appreciate James’ malleable and evocative vocals, effortlessly moving from melody to melody with the occasional vibrato and their joyful, lighthearted character.
‘Comfortable’ embarks on a rock-infused fusion direction, just before ‘Runaround’ brings the EP to a close with hints of jazz-pop and instrumental eclecticism. We love the sax solo in it, incredibly inventive and bold. It’s here that we catch a whiff of musical-coded charm, a sentiment confirmed by Michael’s playful vocal delivery. Jordan Mattiola, Joshua Berg, Jonah Salen, and Deziah Thomas are the gifted performers appearing on the EP.
Recommended! Discover ‘This Just In’ EP now, and catch Michael James at The Singer-Songwriter of Cape May Showcase in March 2026.