Head Bop and Connect with Jimmy B Fearless' "The Love Is Real"

Well-structured and well-said, “The Love Is Real” seemingly aims to connect personal experience and realizations to inspire listeners. Through the sound of hip-hop, the concept of real, genuine love has been made in this thirteen-track album.

During the listen, the fact that Jimmy B Fearless has collaborated with multiple producers (Waytoolost, Encore, Justdan, Andreonbeat, and Swisher Beats) as well as other artists in the scene makes this record as raw; made with passion and love.

The track breakdown checks out based on the source material. “Helpless” featuring JuJu Walker is a solid one to start with, as it makes it known that listeners should pay close attention to the lyrics: “I say that love is real / but one day you become too attached” and “Defenseless, I’m helpless” backs up the claim that this song is about how love can be draining and often leaves us vulnerable. The vocals from JuJu Walker serve as a cherry on top to the entire track.

“The Weekend” comes in hot with feel-good, TGIF vibes. Absolutely catchy. It’s like an early breather for the upcoming tracks on the album, as they really do tackle the reality of giving and the uncertainty of receiving love.

Next up is “Invisible”, the longing to be perceived, and as forementioned, the uncertainty that comes with loving. It features a repetition of “I matter, I matter”, and the desperate tone in setting up an online presence, making sure their image is perfect: “The reason why I post on Facebook / the reason why I snap on TikTok / do we call it X or Twitter? / get my angles right on Insta” it’s sad yet true, the phenomenon of sacrificing almost everything just to appear perfect to others.

Likewise, “Diamond Tears” featuring Lil Navy has a similar theme of materialism and the general topic caring about what truly matters. “Wipe your eyes with dollar bills”, “Too much dirty money keep the change”. Sound-wise, it’s great and melodic.

“Hit My Line” featuring Homage and “Hol Up” is similar to a simple, genuine conversation with a friend. The former is mostly on the coercion of communication, keeping friends in check: “I’m getting ahead of myself / tired trying to do this sh*t by myself”, “It’s crazy how you can’t rely on nobody else”, and “You got something on your mind, hit my line”. In a way, it has a sense of desperation to save someone you care about. The latter speaks about choosing the right people to surround yourself with, which also acts like advice from an old friend: “It’s okay, you ain’t high / you uncomfortable, I understand why / hang around with the wrong kind”, “Trust yourself, trust your gut / if they say this, then they know what’s up”.

With a twinge of latin-pop in “Lost in a Bottle”, this song explores and narrates loving someone who is bad for you. The words clearly state that the woman implied in the story makes him drink, gets him drunk, making him reach an absolute low: “She tell me keep on drinking / ‘nother one, not even thinking”. Honestly a great concept.

“RunAway” and “Small Circle High Walls” both tackle themes of anxiety and trauma, according to Jimmy B Fearless. For a track about something sensitive, it’s upbeat, which is one of the most compelling things in the creation of music. Being all about running away from struggles and the realization of it all, both tracks comprise lines like “Me? I wanna be Mr. Fix It”, “Go above the space and say f*ck it all”, and “Big smiles, dead eyes / you betray, I’m not surprised”.

The last set of songs on the record are “Dream Bigger” featuring Curtiss King, “Fetish”, “Forget” featuring K. Teaggzz, and “My Heart’s Affair”. What these tracks have in common is how it all has a sense of healing after going through the reality and pain of loving. “Dream Bigger” has this anthem vibe, aiming to motivate. Overall, it wraps everything up with the message of choosing yourself despite the outcome, may it be bad or good.

“The Love Is Real” is uplifting, yet very much your tune that satisfies the hip-hop craving. “My Heart’s Affair” is a perfect and well-placed ending to the album that definitely deserves the spotlight.

The Love is Real will not be released on streaming services. It will only be available as a digital download, CD + digital download, or vinyl + digital download on his website jimmybfearless.com. Singles will be released during the year but not the album.