Jacob Collier collaborates with John Legend & Tori Kelly with "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
Today marks the fulfillment of a fan demand that dates back to 2021, when Jacob Collier first harmonized with Yebba on her rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The video gained millions of views and garnered thousands of enthusiastic comments on social media. Over the past three years, followers have eagerly anticipated a full-length version, and in his latest single released today, Collier collaborates with John Legend and Tori Kelly to bring this wish to fruition. Expanding upon his arrangement of the Paul Simon classic, Collier orchestrates a six-minute cascade of vocals, starting with the original audio as shared on Instagram. Yebba, Legend, and Kelly each take turns leading on subsequent verses, delivering remarkable performances against the breathtaking backdrop of Collier's expansive and spine-tingling choral arrangement.
Offering a final glimpse into Jacob Collier's highly anticipated album, Djesse Vol. 4, the latest track underscores the project's core theme of celebrating the human voice. Collier emphasizes, "My voice is only ever as full as the voices around me," highlighting the inclusive nature of the album. He expresses that everyone is a welcomed part of the tapestry, and the process of creating this album has served as a reminder that life is infused with magic, especially when we recognize it in each other.
Scheduled for release on February 29th through Hajanga/Interscope/Decca, Djesse Vol. 4 marks Jacob Collier's first album since his 2021 GRAMMY® nomination for Album of The Year. Serving as the concluding chapter of a four-part series, this album solidifies Collier's reputation as one of the most brilliant minds in contemporary music and a leading force of creativity. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (feat. John Legend & Tori Kelly) follows a series of recent singles featuring notable artists, and the album encompasses a total of 16 expansive songs with an impressive lineup of special guests.
Including contributions from Chris Martin, aespa, Madison Cunningham, Chris Thile, Yelle, CHIKA, Anoushka Shankar, The Aeolians 2018 Choir, Lindsey Lomis, and his mother Suzie Collier, the album's connective thread is a collective "Audience Choir" featuring 150,000 fans' voices recorded from every corner of the world during Collier's last two years of touring. The album showcases Collier's wide-ranging collaborations, where he not only collaborates with various artists but also takes on roles such as singing, playing instruments, arranging, producing, and engineering himself. As described by Vulture, Djesse Vol. 4 is one of the most anticipated albums of 2024, with Collier's multifaceted approach earning acclaim: "Collier collaborates widely while also singing, playing instruments, arranging, producing, and engineering himself. Your fave literally could never."
Crafted in his renowned home studio and on the journey while traversing the globe, Djesse represents the realization and expansion of Jacob Collier's most extravagant musical visions. Collier extends an invitation to fans to join and immerse themselves in the sonic universe ahead of its official release. On February 29th, before the album hits stores or streaming platforms, exclusive listening parties are scheduled to take place in 500 locations worldwide, including the Jacob Collier Djesse Fan Experience in Los Angeles. The pop-up event promises art installations, including a live Djesse Vol. 4 sculpture by acclaimed artist Dustin Yellin, listening areas, never-before-heard interactive music stations, and more. Further details will be announced, so stay tuned by following Jacob Collier on Instagram and other social platforms for information on how to attend.
I am so excited for this upcoming album and would give this track a 2 out of 4. You can listen to it here.