Song review: Jake Lloyd wants you to werk new single ‘Sweat’

Jake Lloyd, one of Dissent Records’ outstanding local artists who are defining that hard-to-classify, Austin, hip-hop sound, released a new song and accompanying video July 22. “Sweat” is a short, funky invitation to let go of your worries and stress; and let the groove take you where you need to be.

After three years of a global pandemic, folks are in need of a release. Lloyd seems to have tapped into the malaise, and his solution?

Work

Sweat

Rev it like a turbo ‘vette

Work

Sweat

Party and ease your stress…

Lloyd’s trademark smooth vocals invite you in to the song with empathy, and then drop you into an infectious chorus peppered with coy rap lyrics that make it clear he’s not actually talking about doing manual labor.

The homegrown video produced by Lloyds’ creative partner, Chris Longwood of DSII Productions, features a hunky, tattooed, shirtless Lloyd in workman’s overalls, wielding various work instruments – an axe, a sledgehammer – while his bandmates ‘accompany’ him with a leaf blower, rake and a 10-gallon bucket as a drum.

This is whimsy and humor, layered atop a complex, eclectic sound that will appeal to folks across generations. Throw this single on at the next party and watch people start to move.

The track was also produced by Logwood with drums by Jake Rabin, bass by Graham Goetz and guitar by Don Denham.

No surprise Lloyd was KUTX 98.9’s Artist of the Month honors for July 2020. As long as he keeps delivering on his neo-Austin sound, he will continue to gain notoriety in Austin, and far beyond. Fans can catch Lloyd performing at Austin City Limits Music Festival next month on Weekend Two.