Jeremy Loops has included the personal hardships over the past few years in his new album.
The South African singer and songwriter admitted that it was challenging to put it together but he is thrilled with the outcome and excited for his fans to hear it.
“Making this album has been some of the most cherished moments of my life,” he explained.
“It’s been some of the hardest song-writing I have ever done and some of the easiest song-writing I have ever done at the same time. It represents a shift for me, because of some of the things that I have gone through in the past four years, I hadn't been through when I wrote my earlier albums.”
Loops added: “There are some weightier songs on this album and some things that will go on to mean a lot to others who have also experienced loss and difficult times.”
While the “Better Together” hitmaker didn’t reveal the name of the album, nor when it would be released, he said it had finally been completed and that he put his heart and soul into it.
“It has been a beautiful and cathartic process to write and record these songs and it took longer to put the album together because I was so attached to every detail.”
He also explained how he went to extraordinary lengths to make sure the music aligned with what he wanted to achieve.
“Everything on this album was recorded live and I used real-life musicians to play bass, drums and keys and the backing vocals. I really wanted to plant a flag in the sand with this album and remind my audience that I have every intention of sticking around as an artist who records real live music; and that I have every intention of playing these songs for years to come.
“I went the extra mile. For example, I recorded a shaker that I found at a market in Pretoria for a particular sound.”
Meanwhile, Loops also explained how this project had taken him back to the start of his career as he followed a similar process for his 2014 debut album “Trading Change”.
“There is no easy way to put an album together and there are so many elements to consider and it's been a real roller-coaster of creativity.
“As I get closer to releasing it, I have done extra tinkering to get it just right so it can be an album that you put on and play right through which is hard to achieve.
“That’s what I did with the first album and many people have said that they played it right through. It was a painstaking process to get the order of songs right, but I believe that we have done that again so I am feeling fantastic but also terrified to deliver this album.
“It shares similarities with my first album because I just made songs that I love and this was the process I followed on my first album. It feels like I have come home to myself creatively.”
Loops also believes that many of the songs from this album might surprise his fans.
“Some songs are not the traditional happy-go lucky Jeremy Loops songs that people know me for.
“Some of them are more emotional and I experimented with different song-writing techniques which are new to me. I think it came through in the way that this album sounds.”
Loops has already set the tone for the album with his latest single, "Go Again", which was released on September 11. It captures his signature blend of heartfelt lyricism and infectious melodies as it also offers listeners a stirring message of resilience.
“‘Go Again’ was such a joy to work on because I worked on it with Edd Holloway from the UK who also worked with Lewis Capaldi.
“It represents me coming out of my shell again, having gone through some pretty tough times like the rest of us in the last four years.
“I found this song at the right moment and it became a mantra for finding power and hope and a reason to get out of bed in the morning to make it happen. I hope that it will help people find that same silver lining as well.”
Loops has become a major force in the music industry and has earned a reputation for his captivating live performances and blend of modern folk music.
From his humble beginnings in Cape Town’s bars to selling out arenas globally, his dynamic stage presence has drawn the attention of international promoters.
This has led to tours with artists like Twenty One Pilots and Milky Chance. He is also a regular performer at global music festivals.
Some of his other accolades include a Best Newcomer nomination at the South African Music Awards and MTV Africa’s Best Alternative & Pop Album.
With more than 400 million streams and extensive tours across Europe, Loops is one of South Africa’s most successful musical exports.