In 2018, Jacob Banks released his full-length debut album Village – a merge of inspirations and tones that vary in directions. It’s fourteen songs containing the strength of his former EPs (The Boy Who Cried Freedom, The Paradox, and The Monologue) in being written close to the heart, having beautiful compositions, and all the while interweaving personal emotions and experiences. Chainsmoking is no different. Intimate, Bank’s music invites you to see the connections to yourself and to others within his songs. Music is often said to speak to the soul, and Banks certainly does that.
The lyrics of Chainsmoking talk of the sacrifice and cost of love, and though it’s killing him he clings onto it (much like chain-smoking), and yet by saying out loud the damage it inflicts “Although I’m black and blue, I’m begging you for more” he acknowledges the pain it causes, but also how he can’t stop fighting for it. The music video, also directed by Jacob Banks, takes a slightly different narrative, but still holds the tone of how people fight for what they believe in, whether its love, justice or freedom.
In the music video, the strength to keep going against adversity is shown as people stand-up time and again against a violent attacker – a man clad in black-ops military gear. Unassigned to a direct “authority/person(s)” he appears as just a representation, whether it’s a governing body, discrimination, judgement, society or even the toxicity of certain relationships. You never know. Just as you don’t know what each of the attacked individuals is fighting for, leaving it up to your own interpretation. Whatever it is, the most important thing is that you don’t see them meeting violence with violence; for their innocent, but also strong – getting up on their feet even though they’re met with an act of aggression.
Although these individuals are shown to be alone in facing their aggressor, they’re still united; from their power pose of defiance, to the tattoo on their wrist – which is also the cover image of Banks’ Chainsmoking single. And whether intended or not, the sheer number of them outweighs the lesser and single figure of the attacker; giving a sense of their strength in unity – even if they don’t see each other – which also conveys a sense that you’re not alone in your battles.
A soft rasp exists within Jacob Bank’s voice, his baritone-sound exuding all the passion in which he performs. Unlimited in strength, he’s able to change from a smoother RnB style to the depths of soul – where he’s set to leave a mark that will have new followers embracing the richness of his music.
Other songs by Jacob Banks we love:
- Parade (2021 – For My Friends)
- Blame (collaboration with Grace Carter) (2020 – single)
- Stranger (2020 – single)
- Keeps Me Going (2018 – Village)
- Kumbaya (feat. Bibi Bourelly) (2018 – Village)
- Unknown (To You) (2018 – Village)
- Part Time Love (2017 – The Boy Who Cried Freedom [EP])
- Monster (feat. Avelino) (2015 – The Paradox [EP])
- Unknown (2015 – The Paradox [EP])
- Rainy Day (2013 – The Monologue [EP])
- Something Beautiful (2013 – The Monologue [EP])
- Worthy (2013 – The Monologue [EP])
Other artists you might like:
- Jake Isaac
- Jordan Mackampa
- Kwabs
- Rag’n’Bone Man
