I have a guilty pleasure, at the moment. I get incredibly cheerful every time I hear Jax Jones’ “You Don’t Know Me”. You know, that track with the irritating “Ooh na na nay”. It has had this effect from the first moment I actually heard this song.
His first single couldn’t really count on the same reaction from me. He featured on a track by Duke Dumont, “I Got You”, that chopped up a Whitney Houston song over a new dance production. It was cleverly done, but nevertheless, I’m not too keen on the chopping and pasting technique, so I was hesitant to like it.
“You Don’t Know Me” featuring Raye is also borrowing some music. The music is based on a sample of M.A.N.D.Y. vs. Booka Shade's 2005 hit "Body Language". The lyrics and vocal melody are completely original, making this ok in my book. It also helps that I wasn’t all too familiar with “Body Language”, so to me it still sounds very fresh and original as it is in this version.
The song has actually been out for quite some time. Originally, it was released last year, but it took a while for it to reach me. Initially, I heard it when it was part of a poll and later it got into regular rotation. In the meantime, it has turned into a hit in several European countries and it’s Jax’s second hit. He’s only been releasing a few songs since 2014. Before he was playing the clubs and I have a feeling he’s still mainly doing so.
Vocalist Jaye has already seen success when she featured on Jonas Blue’s “By Your Side”. Those collaborations have brought her to the charts and a mainstream audience, but she’s also released her own EP last year on the Polydor label called “Second”. It follows up her 2014 debut “Welcome to the Winter”. I think these dance features will definitely help put the focus on her and push her own music further as well.
