The Bandcamp Diaries: "Ghosts" Review

Jaime Deraz is a singer and songwriter with a very personal twist on her music. Her songs combine lush pop melodies with timeless indie aesthetics, making for a really dynamic and uncompromising feel.
Recently, Jaime took the scene to release a brand new single, “Ghosts.” This song marks a really significant achievement for the artist, and her sound is becoming increasingly more defined, one step at a time. Jaime also complemented the music with some outstanding lyrics. The wordplay is witty and direct, combining great vocal melodies and powerful dynamics, with heartfelt songwriting. This is the kind of song that feels very deep and personal, yet it has a very relatable feel that makes it very easy to relate to.
The song begins with a touching piano melody. There is a melodic drone in the background, adding some texture and atmosphere. The chords in the beginning shape up the main melody of the instrumental track, and the sound is reminiscent of a warm, vintage electric piano. Soon after, the beat kicks in along with the vocals. The drum sound is crisp, present and vibrant, tipping the hat off to the best electronic beat-making. Loving those claps and hats! Jaime’s vocals are the brightest star on this track. Her lyrics are personable and easy to relate to, while her voice itself has a beautiful dynamic range. The first verse has a mellow, bare atmosphere, before the kick comes in, adding a lot of depth to the mix. Jaime’s vocals are inspired and romantic. The lyrics are melancholic, but there is also a light at the end of the tunnel, with a positive, lush melodies. I am absolutely loving the hooks, with the pitch shifted vocal effect, adding a modern edge to this song.

The vocal performance is truly astonishing. It is loaded with passion and integrity, while the production aesthetics are also excellent, as mentioned earlier. The combination of these two different aspects create a great synergy, with the end result of a beautiful song!The mixing quality is indeed absolutely world-class, with some amazing definition in the top end and lots of punch in the low-end and midrange. The results sound warm and present, yet never harsh or fatiguing, which is quite an amazing achievement, particularly in this genre!
One of the most impressive features of this track is definitely the fact that this is a song with a stunning dichotomy. One one hand, it is a very intimate song, which arguably means something deeper to the author. On the other, it is a catchy song with some immediate melodies and a really stunning approach to production.
In terms of production, “Ghosts” truly hits the mark. This release is pleasing to the ear, due to her crisp modern tones. However, it also has a distinctive modern edge, which tips the hat off to alternative music, while retaining a catchy twist.
The song’s bridge takes a breather, allowing the beat to relax for a while, and deliver some of the most emotional vocals in the track. The drums come back in with an amazing crescendo, which actually brings so much energy to the conclusive segment of the song.  
The sheer scope of the production will immediately capture your imagination. The music has a larger-than-life feel, almost hitting the speaker in a big cinematic way. These sounds are very evocative, and create a strong texture, rather than just focusing on a melodic line to remember. The fact that there are many layers to this release really allow the artist to achieve an extra sense of depth, making for a strong and balanced tone.
In conclusion, this song is truly astonishing, making for a really fantastic flow and an amazing delivery. If you are a fan of artists such as Halsey, Rihanna or Alison Wonderland, you might definitely enjoy this one!

Much like the aforementioned artists, Jaime has a knack for instinctive songwriting, but he also knows how to really contextualize some good lyrics with a great production, bringing the whole concept to a whole new level. Find out more about Jaime Deraz and do not miss out on “Ghosts,” and other astonishing releases from this talented artist.

We also had the chance to speak to the artist - keep reading for a full interview!

I love how you manage to render your tracks so personal and organic. Does the melody come first, or do you focus on the beat the most?

Answer: Neither! Typically, the lyrics come first. I find it hard to write a song based off a melody, because then I’m limited in the way I can express the lyrical content. I find that when I’m stuck trying to minimize syllables or repeat phrases simply to fit a melody, a lot of the lyrical content gets lost somewhere along the way. The best way for me to capture what I’m trying to say is to write it down in words, and let the music carry the message.

Do you perform live? If so, do you feel more comfortable on a stage or within the walls of the recording studio?

Answer:

I have performed live in the past, but I definitely feel more comfortable in the studio. Performing live is a great experience and it’s definitely something I would like to continue doing in the future. However, when I’m in the studio it actually feels much more personal. I’m singing from myself and to others, just like I would be live. But in the walls of the studio, my creativity is able to come through when I’m feeling relaxed and comfortable. When I’m singing only in the presence of myself, I don’t focus on making mistakes or the way I’m coming off to my audience. I sing like nobody is watching, and that’s when the best artistry comes through.

If you could only pick one song to make a “first impression” on a new listener, which song would you pick and why?

Answer: For a first impression, I’d be torn between two of my songs. The first release I ever had, “lonely like me”, really represents the storytelling aspect I try to include in all of my music. While that’s important to me and a huge part of what I’m trying to do, “Ghosts” tells the story in a more abstract way. It’s much less direct, and leaves the listener to interpret it through the lens of their own heartbreak. Much less detailed, “Ghosts” could be about anyone and anything, and I think that’s something I really would like to do more of in the future. To be able to make a song that is relatable and has listeners swear it was written for them,to help them through something, would be the ultimate accomplishment.

What does it take to be “innovative” in music?

Answer: Personally, I think it takes more to NOT be innovative in music. It is such a personal and expressive area of creativity. In today’s world, it seems that artists are grouped together and categorized based on their similarities in image and style, and I think that might play a part in stifling a lot of creativity. To be innovative in music, you simply have to be open with sharing yourself. Being inspired by the creativity of others is something that should be drawn upon, but I think it’s important to let your own style take the forefront. It’s crucial to be so devoted to being innovative and unlike any others that conforming to what is already being done would be not only difficult, but also  unsettling.

Any upcoming release or tour your way?

Answer: My next release, ‘Chase You’, will be out by the end of June! It’s definitely different from my most recent release, and taps into a different form of songwriting. Detailed images reflect the tone of my debut EP, Almost, while the message behind the lyrics fits more with the content of “Ghosts”.

Anywhere online where curious fans can listen to your music and find out more about you?

Answer: All of my music can be found on pretty much all streaming platforms! Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, etc. I try to keep everyone up to date on my music through my Instagram, and I often tease upcoming tracks and show a bit of insight into the songwriting process through the stories on my page.

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"Ghosts" was added to Spotify's "New Music Friday Deutschland" + more