Earlier this summer, Boulevards re-entered the conversation with a soulful single co-penned with synthpop heavyweights La Roux. While the song has yet to be pinned to a new record from either artist, Boulevards is announcing another single today which will appear on the songwriter’s forthcoming Brother! EP.
The high-energy “Luv n Pain” arrives ahead of the four-song project, due out in December. Meditating on self-sabotage and self-love, the single is a funky indicator of things to come. “Love was one of those things I’ve personally always struggled with,” shares Boulevards (born Jamil Rashad). “Love is something I’ve seen others struggle with as well. Once things get hard, we can either face them with our loved ones or run away and cause suffering. Love is beautiful, on the other side of the coin, you have pain. One can help you grow, while the other can cause you to suffer.”
Rashad also notes that the music was composed by Blake Rhein of Durand Jones & the Indications. “I like working with producers and composers who are nerds when it comes to music. Especially funk, soul, psych music. I had a vision for the sound going forward, and Blake was able to bring things full circle. I like working with people where we can push each other. We can bring the best out of each other when we stay focused and work. It’s always a positive thing. Putting the music first above anything else. Letting each both express ourselves creatively makes for good and honest music.”
The song comes complete with an equally upbeat music video, which contradicts the past seven months of live streams framing artists cooped up in their apartments. Watch the clip below, and pre-order the EP here.
