July 2018 – Worldwide Huff

Why Awake, a collective mainly consisting of Aaron Joseph Newman as the main writer and singer/rapper along with Kori Munson, known professionally as Apollo Lane, as producer, has successfully sunk their teeth into the Electro-Pop/Alternative Rap genres. The ranging styles of songs on their self-titled album have made it difficult to directly pin down exactly where Why Awake stands in terms of genre specifics. With songs such as ‘Slider’ and ‘Neon Morphine’ that fit in a genre with The Weeknd and Portugal. The Man paired along side of ‘So So,’ ‘Start Over,’ and ‘Rita’ which can put WA in the realms of Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran, in conjunction with ‘Things We Do for Fun’ and ‘VTN’ that are closer to Kid Cudi, the album is a musical odyssey through different styles that are all connected by the crisp and consistent production. Aaron Joseph Newman excels as a crooner and a rapper across the entire project.

The feel of the ‘Why Awake’ album is that of someone reaching into the depths of their emotions and pulling them out for someone else to see and relate to. Drawing on the pains of losing parents to cancer and losing lovers to others, Aaron’s writing provokes emotions. Even on a song such as ‘Jackie Kennedy’ that has an upbeat, toe-tapping sound, the lyrics pull on the pains associated with relationships. But, through all of that, the message of continuing to push through and to succeed are clear in the lyrics.

‘Why Awake’ is something new that also feels familiar. Something refreshing in a world of cookie-cutter albums.