Jr. Thomas & Eraserhood Sound — Can’t Leave You Alone
Best known for his work in Jr. Thomas & The Volcanos, Minnesota singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Jr. Thomas returns with a collaboration that pays homage to the golden era of soul music. Teaming up with Philadelphia production duo Maxwell Perla & Vincent John - AKA Eraserhood Sound - he’s proud to announce his new album ‘Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood’ with the lead single ‘Can’t Leave You Alone’, out now via DeepMatter Records.
A project that began with a songbook of tunes Thomas had been working on alone, ‘Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood’ came together through the magic of collaboration, and Thomas’ drive to find the perfect musicians and studio combination to fulfil his vision. After hearing Eraserhood’s work with Kendra Morris, Angelo Outlaw, and Say She She, he knew he’d found the perfect match: “The Eraserhood sessions were fuelled by focus, hard work, and pure determination. In the late summer of 2023, I approached Vince and Max from Eraserhood with the vision of making an album—despite not having a single song written. We booked a winter session, and I spent the next four months writing.”
Fast forward a few months, and Thomas flew out to Philadelphia alongside his confidant on keys, Raynier Jacildo (The Volcanos, The Black Keys)for 4-days in Eraserhood’s Philly studio - formerly owned and purpose-built by Questlove. The results of working in a studio rich with history are clear when listening to ‘Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood’. An authentic, analog-focused take on soul music, it pays respect to the genre whilst joining a growing movement that seeks to bring the uplifting energy of the music to a new generation of listeners, sitting alongside the likes of Jalen Ngonda, Thee Sacred Souls and Pale Jay.
The lead single from the record ‘Can’t Leave You Alone’ is a sunshine-ready, groove-laden cut that sees Thomas reflect on his younger self’s mishandling of relationships, and the madness that can be fuelled by love. The musicianship on the track stands out, with Eraserhood’s Vincent John’s percussive guitar playing paired with beautiful piano work from Raynier Jacindo. “Can’t Leave You Alone came together quickly, which is usually a good sign that it’s going to be a solid tune. I first demoed it in a stripped-down version with just guitar and bass for Vincent, Maxwell, and Raynier, giving them space to interpret it in their own way and expand where they felt inspired. I love how Maxwell brings the dance into the groove, while Raynier’s beautiful octave work on the piano and Vincent’s guitar performance is something I can’t get enough of.”
The single sets the lyrical tone for the album, which is introspective, digging into Thomas’ reflections and lessons learned from his younger self. Across the 9-track run, he explores the mishandling of relationships and the effects of intoxication – be it from love or alcohol – whilst also handling themes of addiction and loss with a sensitivity and maturity that can only come from a life of experience and decades of learning. “Life of the Party reflects on the years I spent drinking and using, capturing the search for something deeper in the depths of addiction. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to see those experiences as a source of inspiration.”
