Winnipeg’s JayWood Returns With Western Music Video For “Just Sayin'”; Announces New Album ‘Slingshot’

JayWood – the moniker of Winnipeg musician & songwriter Jeremy Haywood-Smith , has announced his new album Slingshot is set for release July 15th via Royal Mountain Records & Captured Tracks.

Alongside the news, the emerging star has shared its lead single and music video “Just Sayin”. Originally written by Haywood-Smith with the intention to be given to another artist to perform, he eventually pushed himself to expand his vocal range and embody the confidence that pop music requires for the track.

“The song is about creating equal opportunity for people in need, and lending a helping hand if you can,” says Haywood-Smith. “It’s a super simple thought that I think could easily get overlooked, but having a catchy reminder like this might subliminally provoke some thought.”

For the last few years, JayWood has been transposing his journey of self-discovery and pain into music. Following the loss of his mother in 2019, and the tumultuous societal changes that would follow, JayWood wanted to continue to push forward.

“The idea of looking back to go forward became a really big thing for me—hence the title, ‘Slingshot,’” Haywood-Smith explains. Feeling disconnected from his past and ancestry after the death of a parent, Haywood-Smith made a conscious effort to better understand his identity and unique Black experience living in the predominantly white province of Manitoba.

The narrative for Slingshot takes place in the span of one day. From the first track to the last track, JayWood takes you on a journey that touches on themes of childhood, religion, and identity. While writing and recording the album, Haywood-Smith put together a complex “script” mapping out all of the plot points, environments, characters that make up this surreal version of his real life. Musically, Haywood-Smith wrote and performed a bulk of the track’s instrumentations, but the LP has notable appearances from Canadian contemporaries Ami Cheon, and fellow Manitoban musician Kayla Fernandes who fronts the doom-metal band Vagina Witchcraft, and Mckinley Dixon.

For Slingshot, visionary artists like Kendrick Lamar inspired Haywood-Smith’s approach to storytelling and world-building. “I love Kendrick’s ability to pull from life experiences growing up and conveying a message that’s greater than himself,” says Haywood-Smith “This album felt like I was making something that I would want my younger self to hear.” 

Dive into the first instalment with “Just Sayin” below.

You can also check out a 2020 interview with JayWood here, where he discusses his appreciation for McKinley Dixon – something that has come full circle with this upcoming release.

Tour dates:

Thu. May 5 – Wrexham, UK @ Penny Black Room (FOCUS Wales)
Fri. May 6 – Wrexham, UK @ Ty Pawb (FOCUS Wales)
Sat. May 7 – London, UK @ The Fox Inn
Tue. May 10 – London, UK @ Strongman
Fri. May 13 – Brighton, UK @ Green Door Store (The Great Escape)
Sat. May 14 – Brighton, UK @ Green Door Store (The Great Escape)
Fri. June 10 – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison (Royal Mountain Showcase)

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