Offering a polished jam at every turn, VeeAlwaysHere has never shied away from wearing his heart on his sleeve in his music and continues to do so with “AI,” featuring AJ Rafael. This exquisitely made collaboration examines the longing, distance, and overwhelming desire for connection that often characterize modern love.
From the first note, “AI” sweeps you from the lived-in density of a single-band-room sound into a dreamscape, where human emotion and digital conversation cross-pollinate. The upbeat nature of this song belies the bittersweet nature of the relationships behind the lyrics strained by distance, be it physical or emotional. VeeAlwaysHere’s flowing vocals lock in with the soft yet propulsive production, creating imagery of someone craving the intimacy of another person outside of our technologically insulated world.
AJ Rafael’s verse brings further nuance to the tale, singing of love so bright it illuminates the night like stars. His warm, melodic tone nicely offsets VeeAlwaysHere’s, so their harmonies sound like a sincere dialogue between two souls trying to touch each other from the other side of darkness. The lyrics carry a heavy emotion that is all too relatable to anyone who has longed for something or someone just out of reach.
Lyrically, however, “AI” serves not only its melancholic purpose but is also a crash course on genre-melding, as it fuses club sounds with pop in unexpected ways. With production that skillfully matches R&B, pop, and electronic influences into a forward-thinking and intensely intimate sound, the song feels like an obvious sound for the future. It’s a song that could easily find its way into late-night playlists or serve as background music to moments of solitude and contemplation.
What makes “AI” unique is its ability to feel both intimate and universal. This sentence responds to the need to love at the time of technology in the opposite way to help us. It brings you the fact that many of us bring a world together, but technology can also take you apart. VeeAlwaysHere and AJ Rafael tell us that no matter how advanced communication is ever going to be, nothing can replace the magic of presence. With “AI,” VeeAlwaysHere continues to affirm his place as an artist we need to pay attention to, while AJ Rafael adds a soulful touch that makes the song even more special.
Connect with VeeAlwaysHere on Instagram – @veealwayshere
Connect with AJ Rafael on Instagram – @ajrafael
