The smell of warm pizza floated through the air about a half an hour before Jelani Aryeh took the stage. Aryeh walked onstage to his pizza and pool party at the Hilton Graduate Hotel in Tempe right around 9 p.m., sipping coconut water.
“How are you guys doing?” were the first words he uttered before the crowd cheered with anticipation as the band began their quiet intro.
Aryeh started with his song “Breaking By” off of “The Sweater Club.” His voice echoed off the walls of the hotel as he used his vocals to tell the story of his inner thoughts.
Jelani Aryeh was born in San Diego, California. He began his career in 2017 when he released his single, “Delusions.” Aryeh's music has inspiration from a variety of genres. New Orleans jazz is a complementary element of his music that comes through his drum selection. The bass and electric guitar elements blended his rock and pop tunes. Additionally, the pendulum swinging between rock and pop can make a song more gritty or light. Aryeh displays a wide range of versatility in his music while making his bodies of work harmonious.
Aryeh quickly transitioned to the album’s title track after sipping tea out of a yellow can. With its faster BPM, “Sweater Club” feels more upbeat and vibrant. Yet, the song is deeply introspective.
“Most of the people in my life are out of my life,” is a line sung before Aryeh contemplates whether he has been his most authentic self.
As the night went on, Aryeh performed songs from his album “Helvetica,” and “I’ve Got Some Living To Do.” There were transitions between his newer and older work that felt cohesive. The narratives in his songs build off each other, even with large time gaps between their releases.
The night ended as Aryeh interacted with the crowd, driving home the idea of community among the audience. He hyped up his finale as a special one for the audience.
“Funny, ain’t it?” he asked before the audience burst into a loud cheer.
Aryeh began singing “I’m in Love,” which is featured on 18 Apple Music playlists, including the Songs of the Summer and Indie Pop playlists. The drum break in “I'm in Love” sounded similar to “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell. “I’m in Love” felt like the perfect way to end the night with the crowd dancing and showing love by the hotel poolside.