Pop singer-songwriter JP Saxe has officially signed to Arista Records, Billboard can announce. The artist also unveils his new single “Same Room” today (June 28).
“JP Saxe is a truly distinctive singer-songwriter, set for a long and illustrious career across the world,” Arista president and ceo David Massey tells Billboard. “His poignant songs, including ‘The Few Things,’ have already captured the hearts of so many, and we expect ‘Same Room’ to have the same impact on his fans. We are so proud to have JP join the Arista and Work of Art Publishing families.”
Clio Massey, who signed the artist to Work of Art Publishing, also had some promising things to say: “JP has already proven himself to be a songwriter capable of moving listeners, as he’s done with his most recognized song, ‘The Few Things.’ The originality of his songwriting and his ability to create timeless music is what led us to want to be involved from the publishing side. We are excited to represent him as a songwriter, and to support this vital part of his career.”
The new song from the Toronto-born, L.A.-based artist is a minimalistic ballad about avoiding the person you once loved. “Now we can’t even be in the same room/ My friends are making sure I don’t see you/ I strategize a path to the bathroom/ So I don’t walk passed you,” he croons. It’s a very real representation of that awkward post-relationship moment, when both parties are still vulnerable. It’s a fragile situation, and JP Saxe captures it perfectly with his delicate vocals and instrumentation.
“Since I was a kid, I’ve always felt like songs were saying things to me,” the singer tells Billboard of his new chapter. “It took me a while to start releasing music, because it was important to me that I knew what I wanted to say before I said anything. About two years ago, when I put out my first song independently, I started having a sense of it…be as honest as you can, [make sure the] song feels identical to the feelings that it came from, and trust that sincerity is a powerful thing.”
Initially, JP Saxe didn’t intend for anyone to hear “Same Room,” which he describes as being the first song to come from the “post-love era” of his life. “I wrote it for myself, ’cause I was going through it and needed some of those feelings in something other than myself,” he says. “Same Room” ended up being the song Masseys were most excited about, the singer adds, and he believes it helped them make the decision to sign him. “It’s a true story and I’m excited for you to hear it.”
Listen to the tender track below.