SLIDIN

JEMS! (producer J.Robb and vocalist Elujay) pull from both sides of the timeline, stacking "SLIDIN" with a rhythm section that moves sharp and unfussy. The groove is instantly familiar—chunky drum machine, lo-fi handclaps, Moogy bass thumping in the low end like it’s fresh from an 80s warehouse party. Percussion details slide through with woodblock and triangle, setting up a foundation that feels more crafted than sampled, polished without going glossy. It’s a steady, controlled pulse—a subtle tug of war between relaxed swagger and forward momentum, as boogie-funk guitar strums and watercolor keys glide into the hook.

Against this laid-back propulsion, Elujay delivers his close-mic vocals with a tone that sits just above the music. His delivery follows a low-key M.O.—each line landing in a nearly offhand way. Hooks slide in over the groove, carrying a nonchalant tone that brushes up against quiet doubts. When he drops, "Are we still slidin’?" it works as both a charge and a check-in. For his part, J.Robb makes sure that his production is way more than window dressing. It’s a living, shifting thing, full of classic boogie-funk nods and future-funk gloss. The sound recalls hot summer nights and old-school house parties, but nothing feels overplayed or kitschy. Each instrumental layer serves the song, with new textures bubbling up just as the last fades back. At a tight one minute and forty seconds, "SLIDIN" shows JEMS! know how to keep a jam tight, moving, and rooted in the moment.

You can check out "SLIDIN" and a few more extras when JEMS! drop GEMS IN THE CORNERSTORE II (DELUXE) on August 29th.