There’s a good chance you’ve heard the music of Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Jesse Ruben. His songs have soundtracked scenes of more than a dozen TV shows, and his song “This is Why I Need You” reached the top 10 in twelve different countries.
On top of familiar themes like love and mental health, Ruben’s music also addresses living with chronic illness, which he does (Lyme disease). With his new album Belong out tomorrow, Ruben has provided us with an exclusive track-by-track breakdown of all of the songs on his new LP, and we are fortunate to premiere that album here so you can listen along while reading the breakdown.
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As you read, you can exclusively stream the album here!
1. Belong – This was really meant to be the opening statement of the album. It’s a song about connection, but also in a way was written for my wife, because sometimes being married (especially to me, especially during COVID) can be very challenging, but despite all of that, we know that we can get through anything together.
2. Future – There are not a lot of moments that completely change your life. And there are even less moments where in real time, you know that your life has changed forever. When my wife walked in for our first date, I was 26, and didn’t think I’d start looking for a partner until I was at least 30. But as soon as I saw her, I knew that I wasn’t going to wait anymore.
3. Trying My Best – Everyone is dealing with really difficult stuff all the time, but especially right now with everything going on in the world. “Be kind to yourself” sounds like really great advice, but is actually very difficult to do. So I wanted to write a song that acknowledged that, so that people would feel less alone in their struggles.
4. Monster – I wrote this album over a long period of time, mostly because there were several years where I couldn’t work due to a really bad case of Lyme disease. Not only were the physical and mental symptoms unbearable, but on top of that, a lot of my doctors and family and friends literally did not believe that there was anything wrong. This song was me begging the people in the medical system and the people in my life to take me seriously, and to help me.
5. Different – This feels like an obvious statement but here in the US I worry that it will become controversial: I think people should be allowed to love or date or marry whoever they want. The idea that there is any type of relationship that is “better” than another is wrong on every level. Let people be who they are. It’s really easy and simple. But there are closed-minded people who make it complicated, and it’s just wrong.
6. Champion – This song started as a joke, about how if the apocalypse came I wouldn’t be helpful at all, because all I can do is write and sing songs. I was also a pretty quiet and shy kid growing up, and ended up marrying a Homecoming Queen. So this is a song for all of the people who never really felt like they fit in, and to remind them that it gets better when you get older.
7. Whole World Watches – I just cannot believe we elected him. Twice. I actually felt a little bit hopeful when I wrote this song that both sides could come together, but now I’m not so sure. There is so much more I could say about it but if you agree with me you already know, and if you don’t, there’s nothing I can say that’s going to change your mind. But when we look back at this period in our history, I think a lot of people will be ashamed.
8. I Believe You, Elizabeth – One of my closest friends is named Liz Longley. She’s an incredible songwriter and her voice is unreal. And there are times when I am feeling overwhelmed or stressed, and I put her music on because it reminds me that there is still good in the world, and that things are going to be okay. Which is the highest compliment I can give another writer, because it’s exactly what I want my songs to do for people.
9. You’re Not Here – I grew up listening to a ton of musical styles that have influenced my work, but one that I don’t focus on very often is jazz. I love songs that are musically complicated but sound so simple, and that’s what I was going for here. And if the biggest problem in a relationship is that the two people are far away from each other, that feels like a good problem to have.
10. Will I Ever Find The Light – This was a song also written during my time of being sick, I was so heartbroken about all of the parts of life that I was missing, while watching my friends do normal and fun things. It doesn’t help that the internet makes everyone’s life seem perfect all the time even though it never is. But I think as humans, we are not good at dealing with the unknown. And not knowing if I was ever going to recover was so scary to me.
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Belong is out everywhere on Washtae Music starting 10/10. Catch Jesse Ruben on tour supporting the new album.
The Indy Review 
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