JASON MAXWELL

                                                               "For Now" 

                                                                Independent Release

Though there’s not an official blueprint for an independent act to follow, one can turn to the incredible stats that Toronto’s Jason Maxwell has amassed and see that there is a doable way to navigate often murky waters to reach a point of smooth sailing with a clear vision straight ahead.

Over 1.5 million streams on digital platforms, 70,000 plus followers on TikTok, 2 singles that charted in the Top 10 on iTunes Top 200 chart, and his latest single “For Now” being added to several playlists already, have all added up to create a good amount of buzz around this promising artist.

“For Now” first draws you in with an intriguing guitar riff that makes you perk up an ear to listen, as it then gently slides to the background to allow a clap along with slow groove to lace over it while Maxwell’s crisp vocal carries the emotion of the missing you since you’ve gone story wrapped within the lyrics.

“You say you’re doing fine, and that’s good for you…” Maxwell sings in the second half of the opening verse as he elevates the perspective of the lyrics to be from that of the guy who she didn’t choose to be with, but the one who knows her better than she knows herself as is evident when he then sings, “But that’s a lie I see straight through.”

What’s really interesting about this lyric as Maxwell pushes the song forward, is how it never really fully spells out whether this is an ex-boyfriend perspective, or just perhaps a best friend that’s always had a crush on her.

While he does say that she packed up and left when he asked her to, he also uses the second verse to recall their younger years together when he sings of carving their names in a tree while they made promises to each other.

Admittedly, he sings of never moving on from her after she left, which pushes straight into the chorus where he questions if the guy that she’s with now is even right for her, asking if he’s the man of her dreams, everything she’s ever wanted, and if he’s good for her or just good enough for now.

The bridge brings his entire emotion full circle and to surface when he says he knows a guy who will love her the right way, referring to himself, as he expertly flips just enough of the wording in the last chorus to throw down a challenge to her, enticing her to walk away from the lukewarm place in the relationship she’s in right and to fall into him instead.

Jason Maxwell has already started to write a very strong resume, and with “For Now” he takes another huge step forward on his path and notches another mark with a very well-written song that is built for modern country radio, containing elements of pop and country fusing together to create a blend of sound that gives Maxwell’s voice a chance to shine in the spotlight as it captures the vibe of the lyrics perfectly.

(Review Written By: Jeffrey Kurtis)

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