Jay Deru brings a relaxed but confident presence to his new album, Skyscrapers. The rapper and part-time singer has been building toward this project for years. He started writing poetry in the third grade, later sang in choirs, and began rapping in high school. After graduating, he moved into professional recording and continued developing his audience through open-mic performances in different cities.
That experience is reflected in Skyscrapers. The album is soulful and easy to settle into, with warm production, steady grooves and plenty of room for Deru’s voice. His delivery is one of the record’s strongest features. He can sound controlled and polished one moment, then more personal and direct the next.
The album opens with “Cashout humor,” which sets the tone with silky strings, airy percussion and a full bass sound. Deru uses the laid-back instrumental to deliver poetic verses with a smooth flow. It is a strong introduction to the project and gives the listener a clear idea of what to expect.
“Sunbathe” moves into a brighter, more expansive sound. Immersive keys and a punchy rhythm section give the track plenty of movement, while Deru switches between sleek melodies and poised rap flows. His vocals give the song a versatile feel without making it sound overworked.
“Heavy Tinted Civic,” featuring Dontay Jacob, provides a sharper change of pace. The production is heavier here, built around gritty instrumentation and rumbling bass. Deru responds with raw, energetic flows, giving the track more intensity than some of the album’s smoother cuts. Dontay Jacob adds another voice to the track and helps push its energy further.
The closing track, “Hurt Nobody,” brings the project back to a more reflective place. Deru delivers detailed, personal verses over dexterous bass lines and open, watery keyboards. The combination keeps the song engaging while allowing the lyrics to take more of the focus. It works well as a closer, ending the album on a thoughtful note.
Across Skyscrapers, Deru keeps the production consistent without making every track sound the same. The album moves between mellow, soulful moments and heavier bursts of energy while maintaining a clear sense of direction.
Deru’s background in poetry, singing and live performance comes through in his approach. He has a distinctive voice and an effortless flow, but Skyscrapers also shows an artist becoming more comfortable with using those strengths in different ways. The result is a well-rounded project that gives Deru room to rap, sing and reflect while keeping the focus on his own sound.
Listen to Skyscrapers here:
Connect with Jay Deru HERE.
