Jay Deru’s new album, Skyscrapers, feels like the result of years spent figuring out how all sides of his creativity fit together. Long before rap, Deru was writing poetry and singing in choir. He eventually found his way into hip-hop, performing at open mics and recording professionally, experiences that now come through in his relaxed but confident approach.
The album moves between soulful grooves, melodic moments and more stripped-back reflections without feeling scattered. Deru’s voice stays at the center, whether he is rapping or singing, giving the project a consistent personality.
“Cashout humor” sets the tone with warm strings, deep bass and understated percussion, while “Sunbathe” opens things up with brighter keys and a more melodic feel. “Heavy Tinted Civic,” featuring Dontay Jacob, brings a noticeable shift, using heavier bass and gritty production to give the album a harder edge.
The closing track, “Hurt Nobody,” takes things inward. With spacious production and a more reflective delivery, it leaves the album on a personal note without overdoing it.
What stands out most about Skyscrapers is how comfortable Deru sounds moving between different parts of himself. His background in poetry shows up in the writing, his musical influences shape the melodies, and years of performing have given his delivery an easy confidence.
The result is a soulful, laid-back album with enough variation to keep things moving. More than anything, Skyscrapers sounds like Jay Deru settling into his own sound and letting the music speak for itself.
Listen to Skyscrapers here now: