Johan Lenox Drops "everybody's cool but me" Five Song EP
Multi-talented award-winning singer, songwriter, classical composer, string arranger, and producer Johan Lenox brings his panoply of musical gifts with the release of his anticipated 5-song EP, “everybody’s cool but me” including the unreleased track and video for “Pretender.” “The EP is about my experience being a kid in the suburbs of New England,” Johan explains. “I miss the carefree high school years, the aimless neighborhood wandering, and partying in garages. At the same time, we're clinging to youth because we know that our future has been sold out by previous generations. I channel these feelings in my lyrics and in how I produce the songs, using only classical orchestra sounds except for the drums and vocals.”
The EP builds on Johan's background as a classical composer as well as his more recent collaborations in the hip-hop world. The roster of artists who have benefited from his mastery includes Kanye West, Travis Scott, Big Sean, Ty Dolla $ign, Nas, Teyana Taylor, Travis Barker, Vic Mensa, Alessia Cara, Blackbear, Desiigner, Rufus Wainwright, Emotional Oranges, Trinidad James, Mr. Hudson, producers No I.D., Mike Dean, John Hill, and others.
Johan’s unique approach first caught the public imagination when, after a couple of post-grad years producing and arranging around L.A., he composed and arranged the music for “Yeethoven” for an orchestra of over 50 performers. Through live orchestral music and brief commentary, the concert made the case that formal devices in the music of Kanye's avant-garde Yeezus album more closely resemble those of classical music, especially that of Beethoven, than pop music. After a sold-out presentation at Lincoln Center in New York, it won the prestigious Silver Clio Award for “Innovation and Creative Excellence.”
Listen to the “everybody’s cool but me” EP below on your preferred music service, watch the “pretender” video, and connect with Johan Lenox on his social media.