MILWAUKEE SOUL PHENOM FELIX AMES DROPS DEBUT ALBUM JENA

Today, buzzing Milwaukee soul phenomenon Felix Ames presents his much-anticipated full-length debut album, JENA, out now via Def Jam Recordings.

Listen to JENA HERE.

Across 12 tracks, he unfurls a pastiche of soul, jazz, alternative, and R&B without comparison. The single “Liquor Locker” hinges on a head-nodding guitar groove and hypnotic handclaps. Drowning his sorrows in an attempt to forget an ex, a flood of memories overwhelms him as he laments, “You used to be the one I loved, you used to be the one I trusted, you used to make all my choices, but now I’m in my liquor locker.”

Elsewhere, he flexes his dynamic vocals on “Always, I’ll Stay.” Momentous drums underline a promise, “I hold tight when you need me.” Then, there’s “97 Nissan.” He gets into the driver’s seat as keys glimmer between admissions such as, “I don’t wanna say too much. I don’t wanna stay too long.” This trip concludes with the introspective “Half A Man.” Synths echo, while he reaches a moment of self-realization, “I’m only half of a man, and that’s why it won’t make sense.”

Check out the full tracklisting below.

He recently teased the LP with “Don’t Be Alarmed,” earning widespread acclaim.

Right out of the gate, WONDERLAND. declared, “Sonically, Felix’s music is derived from the very best of both the old-school fusion soul scene and the contemporary influences of R&B music. ‘Don’t Be Alarmed’ offers a blissful mixture of the two, and does so with a gleaming finish of jazz-inspired instrumentation and a velvet-smooth vocal performance.” YouKnowIGotSoul hailed it as “a perfect showcase of the singer’s impressive vocal range and dynamic musical abilities.”

In support of JENA, Felix will launch his headline “Speakeasy Tour” across North America and Europe. It notably marks his first jaunt. The stateside run kicks off on November 11 in Washington, D.C., visits major markets coast-to-coast, and comes to close on November 21 in Los Angeles, CA. He crosses the pond on December 10 for a show in London, UK, before a sold out gig in Paris, France on December 12, and a date in Berlin, Germany on December 13.

Check out tour dates below.

He paved the way for JENA with the “Taxi Driver / 7711” two-pack, which has gathered 1 million streams and counting thus far. Meanwhile, “Bend, Don’t Break / Shoestring” simultaneously continues to pick up steam. Of “Bend, Don’t Break,” Vibe proclaimed, “The song highlights his distinct merger of R&B, funk, and jazz.”

“Shoestring” also remains a fan favorite. It has already piled up 2.5 million Spotify streams and counting. Earmilk applauded it as “a tour-de-force for a very fresh face in the musical landscape.”

Felix Ames quietly asserted himself as a soul maverick in 2022. Reupping old school spirit with 21^st century flare, seismic vocals, and sonic fireworks of his own, he piled up millions of streams across “Shoestring,” “SPF,” and “7711.” Inciting widespread critical acclaim from the likes of Early Rising and more, OnesToWatch raved, “We’re all salivating to see what’s born from Ames’ continued evolution,” and Lyrical Lemonade attested, “Felix Ames is definitely an artist to watch.” Signing to Def Jam Recordings, he’s poised to make a major impact now.

JENA Full Tracklisting:

1. Always, I’ll Stay
2. Taxi Driver
3. 2million
4. Don’t Be Alarmed
5. Leftright
6. Irish Goodbye
7. Liquor Locker
8. ’97 Nissan
9. Bend, Don’t Break
10. Shoestring
11. 7711
12. Half A Man

“Speakeasy Tour” Dates:
11/11  Washington, DC
11/14  Nashville, TN
11/15  New York City, NY
11/17  Dallas, TX
11/21  Los Angeles, CA
12/10  London, UK
12/12  Paris, FR (SOLD OUT)
12/13  Berlin, DE