As Khamari prepares to release his sophomore album, the rising alt-R&B sensation has delivered his latest track “Lonely in the Jungle.”
The sunny guitar work is met with a downpour of emotion as Khamari wrestles with faith during a season of abandonment.
“Clock’s broken, I lose count / But still I’m holding out, can’t help my wishful thinking / If there’s a God in this lonely jungle / Why haven’t my prayers been answered? / Let it rain,” he croons.
Regarding “Lonely in the Jungle,” Khamari shares, “I was really inspired by what Jeff Buckley did so well – putting a certain alternative rock energy and musicality behind these soulful songs that were really blues in form and emotion.”
“Lonely in the Jungle” is the third single from Khamari’s upcoming album, which will release via Encore Recordings. The album will also include “Sycamore Tree” and “Head in a Jar.”
He adds, “‘Lonely in the Jungle’ and my first single ‘Head in a Jar’ are two parts of the same scene. It’s about being surrounded by so much yet still feeling alone.”
Of the album’s lead single, Khamari explained, “‘Head in a Jar’ is a metaphor for being a part of someone’s life, but from a greater distance than you would like. This is mirrored in the lyrics, ‘If it’s the shelf or gone, then least I’ll be something to you.’”
Khamari’s forthcoming project will follow his 2023 debut album, A Brief Nirvana. The latter album, released on RCA Records, included the singles “Doctor, My Eyes,” “Drifting,” “Tell Me” and “These Four Walls.”
“This album is about the struggle of one growing into adulthood,” Khamari explained to Rated R&B about A Brief Nirvana. I was making music out of my grandfather’s attic previously when I was in Boston, before packing up my stuff, moving to Los Angeles, and trying to find myself socially out here — and dealing with my adult responsibilities.”
Stream Khamari’s new song “Lonely in the Jungle” below.