Jonathan Burkett Life as I Know It - EP Review

Life as I know It – EP Review

            Life as I Know It is the newest EP by Jonathan Burkett. Consisting of four songs, the album as a whole is very reminiscent of Tupac’s early work. There’s a strong theme of positivity throughout each of the songs, with lyrics that are relatable and soulful. Each song flows into the next, without the disjointed feeling of some beginning artists’ works. 

            The first song on Life as I Know It is “Two Steps” featuring Michael Pashalian. “Two Steps” is an anthem-like song that seems to have sampled “Where is the Love”, by Black Eyed Peas. The applicable lyrics, both by the singer and rapper, deliver a message of hope and positivity. While the production could have been better, it truly offers the sense that the artists have both struggled and come out on top.

            “Don’t Give Up” featuring Polancopop is definitely where the similarities to Tupac begin to be noticed. It has the same soul that true RnB lovers yearn for, all carried by the steady vocals of Polanco. In “I Can Only be Me”, the beat is extremely catchy, offering a solid foundation for the message and inspiration Burkett, Kristin Nicole, and Kiarra Guerra support. While the rap seems a bit shout-y in this piece, it still brings across its point.

            The last song on Life as I Know It is “Changes”, featuring Elisa Polanco. This song, with its urban relevance, appeals to a very wide audience of music lovers. Following in the steps of the rest of the album, it uplifts and continuously points towards its positive message.

            All in all, Life as I Know It is a great start for budding artist Jonathan Burkett. Those interested in music with a message that goes back to the roots of RnB should definitely give this album a chance. It will be very interesting to see where Burkett ends up with a little more polishing and a better production staff.