23-year-old musical wunderkind Chris McClenney started teasing his debut EP last year, whetting our appetites with atmospheric singles like "Otherside," and tropically-inflected house party gems like "Headlines." Today, Highsnobiety exclusively premieres his ten-track Portrait in Two project ahead of its official release tomorrow. McClenney, who originally hails from Maryland, credits artists like Prince and D'Angelo for inspiring the EP. Both established themselves as powerhouse talents capable of writing, producing, arranging and performing their own music.
If you've been following McClenney since 2014, when he was first discovered by Soulection, it might be tempting to think of him as just a producer. Last year he even secured credits on Atlanta newcomer D.R.A.M.'s breakthrough album Big Baby D.R.A.M. However, Portrait in Two reveals a talented singer, songwriter and all-around musician just waiting for the opportunity to spin a yarn for a rapt audience.
"Sonically, the project is my introduction to the world as an artist," explains McClenney. "I made it my goal to be the sole writer, producer, session musician, performer and mixing engineer of the project in order to keep my debut 100% me. Letting the world know I’m also a singer-songwriter highlights the duality of the project. There are two halves of Portrait in Two. Each has an intentionally unique sound and identity, but they come together to make the whole portrait of me. I made a conscious effort to feature live bass guitar, keyboard, electric guitar, and drums because they’re the sounds that originally inspired me to play music. Portrait in Two is just the beginning of the career I envision for myself, and I really hope it resonates with people out there," he elaborates.
McClenney started building the framework for the EP while he was still a student New York University where he is currently in grad school. Between classes and studying, he tinkered with piano, guitar and bass guitar arraignments before adding live drums and drum programming, then layering the instrumentals with his own molasses-y vocals.
The resulting ten tracks comprise a complex, genre-blurring project that reveals the full extent of McClenney's musicality. And as with many debut projects, it feels as though we're experiencing the formation of a signature sound. "Portrait in Two is an honest project about where I was in life as a human being. It’s my first true artistic statement," McClenney told Highsnobiety. "Although it's my portrait, I feel there are themes on the EP that many can relate to. It focuses on the real feelings we get when we look at ourselves in the mirror within the context of society, our families, loved ones, and personal expectations. When you look in the mirror what do you really see?"
In McClenney's case, it is a newly-formed artistic identity that has painstakingly (and quite literally) been built from scratch. Fans artists like Kaytranada or Goldlink, who have a talent for combining future-facing sounds with soulful, retro influences, will quickly develop a soft spot for McClenney.
If you happen to be in New York City you can catch a live performance of Portrait in Two at the Blue Note Jazz Club on January 14. Doors open at midnight and McClenney takes the stage at half past twelve. Purchase your tickets here.
Want to see what other musicians are on our radar? Take a look at the album's we need in 2017.
