I've been bumping this since I received the vinyl pre-order from the website. Well worth the wait! You have my support, as I rock my hoodie, and blast this during my commutes, with the windows down. 💯💯💯 Much love!
Favorite track: Rock On.
Darren Benjamin
Production has some great vibes and of course Ms Jones flow and content is solid as always
Favorite track: Show You How (feat. Vic Mensa).
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Purchasable with gift card
$10USD or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
50 exclusive copies.
Digihub
PLEASE NOTE
CD previews are digital mock-ups, final product may differ slightly from this preview.
Includes unlimited streaming of CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
ships out within 3 days
$25USD
T-Shirt/Apparel + Digital Album
Official Custom "Closer Than They Appear" album cover T-Shirt design.
The back lists the tracks of the CTTA project.
Designed by @dizzzajn
This T is soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and flattering for both men and women.
Details:
• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Ash color is 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Heather colors are 52% combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% polyester
• Athletic and Black Heather are 90% combed and ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• Heather Prism colors are 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz (142 g/m2)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Side-seamed
Includes unlimited streaming of CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
...more
ships out within 7 days
$30USD
T-Shirt/Apparel + Digital Album
Official Custom "Closer Than They Appear" album cover clothing design.
The back lists the tracks of the CTTA project.
Designed by @dizzzajn
50% pre-shrunk cotton, 50% polyester
Fabric weight: 8.0 oz/yd² (271.25 g/m²)
Double-lined hood with matching drawcord
Quarter-turned to avoid crease down the middle
Air-jet spun yarn with a soft feel and reduced pilling
1x1 athletic rib-knit cuffs and waistband with spandex
Double-needle stitched collar, shoulders, armholes, cuffs, and hem
Front pouch pocket
Blank product sourced from Honduras, Mexico, or Nicaragua
Includes unlimited streaming of CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
ships out within 10 days
$36USD
T-Shirt/Apparel + Digital Album
Official Custom "Closer Than They Appear" album cover clothing design.
The back lists the tracks of the CTTA project.
Designed by @dizzzajn
Champion Crewneck Sweatshirt
• 82% cotton, 18% polyester
• Crew neck
• 1x1 ribbed knit cuffs and bottom band
• 1x1 rib inserts at underarm and sides for extra mobility
• Embroidered “C” logo on left sleeve
Includes unlimited streaming of CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
ships out within 10 days
$60USD
CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR ALBUM (LP) LIMITED EDITION 12" VINYL
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
I’m proud to bring my new 9-tracks project, featuring appearances by the likes of Little Brother, Vic Mensa among others. Limited edition of 200 hand-numbered copies:
- 200 on black vinyl
TRACKLIST
A1. Objects In Mirror (prod. By Phil Beaudreau)
A2. Face to Face (prod. By Carrtoons)
A3. Rock On (prod. By Nottz)
A4. Cruisin' feat. Little Brother (prod. By Focus...)
A5. Show You How feat. Vic Mensa (prod. By H0wdy)
B1. Angelina feat. Phil Beaudreau (prod. By Phil Beaudreau)
B2. Want To Say (prod. By Blaaq Gold)
B3. Once More With Feeling feat. Sy Smith (prod. By Carrtoons)
B4. Waitaminit (prod. By Nameless)
PLEASE NOTE
Vinyl previews are digital mock-ups, final product may differ from this preview.
Includes unlimited streaming of CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
...more
Face To Face
Verse 1 [Lyric Jones]
Yo, yo
In the mirror staring face to face
The daily paper chase
Transformations taking place
Call it amazing grace
Twinnin like my interface
Heart on my sleeve,
Honestly, my database
Is fairly caught up to speed
Harsh reminders of my race
Shit, its Harder to breathe
House arrest without the ankle brace
The fault of disease
Which one should I be fearing most
a virus or a system
Corona shit ain’t coming close
Of violence on my sistas
and brothas we can list em
We peaceful they don’t listen
We sick of playing victim
My anger is the symptoms
The world can’t deny it or hide this shit any longer
No more being silent, they violent but say we squander
Some make believe perfect dealt hand, truth is we stronger
But painfully we still seeing strange fruit over yonder
The tragedy is back to back
Hit us more than Aubrey stats
These corporations copycat lies
How can it not be that?
The air is feeling different
My temperature change
My people sick of the statistics
Our temper in flames
We fighting hand to hand
For all the Sandra blands
Breonna Taylors real demands
Rage is all they understand
In the mirror staring face to face (2x)
—//—
Verse 2 [Lyric Jones]
Different worlds come head to head
Lately been seeing red
I barely make it outta bed
Fearing what's in store ahead
Theses fireworks been every night
Similar to Waco
But kinda worse, cuz every hood thinking they heard a draco
Fam aint come to visit yet
feels crazy to complain
the love I can’t diminish that
But its been 8 years and some change
Feeling like I’m estranged
It’s really hard to explain
But convos keeping me sane
Somewhat
still it’s been a strain
Looking at my reflection
everything appears the same
But need a piece for protection
Living dolo ain’t a game
My neighbor let me hold his machete
I wish a nigga would demeanor
Try me I’m ready
False sense of security
Still, weight of it’s heavy
I’m wondering how long I can chill when making pennies
Many are drained, thankfully I’m feeling recharged
And lately I been hit with big reminders of God
Survivors guilty cuz many ain’t beating the odds
Often faced with “That could’ve been me”
Fuck the facade
Taking one day at a time
Sipping my gimlet with lime
Facing my partner in crime
Me, true growth her prime
In the mirror staring face to face (2x)
[Outro] BeMyFiasco
They say blues
Two by two
We say cruise
Might just lose
Our minds through
Rewind ooh
Fight for you
Fight for you (2x)
Fight for you
Rock On
Check 1
Check 2
And ya don’t stop
Maintain the block, don’t stop the rock (2x)
Check 1
Check 2
And ya don’t stop
Maintain the block, don’t stop the rock (2x)
Verse 1 [Lyric Jones]
I rock on, been building my path
Yeah it’s cobblestone
still I get my walk on.
Been kinda bumpy along the way
Yet, Still I’m not gone
At this point, I just grab a seat and make some popcorn
Salute to those who made it early for the previews
It’s time to dim the theater lights I know you read the reviews
I’m Rated R, for too real
Getting the rock on sealed the deal
Wrestling with my life’s Game Plan, on the field
The key is to peel back the curtain, swas’ too comfy wit my demo reel
I move the crowd in my stiletto heels
Time keep on slipping to the future
2020 seal
2020 feels heavy, singing D scales
I’m Lyte as a rock, this audio two detailed
I get money, money I got retail
Bars only garments to cop,
But ain’t for resale
Check 1
Check 2
Maintain the block, don’t stop the rock (2x)
Verse 2 [Lyric Jones]
I rock on, like Death Valley
How I move is a mystery
I kept talli
Of every small to big victory
Even when Hip Hop grew more contradictory
still was at the pep rally
Cuz I marvel at the history
Peace to
Coke La Rock
T La Rock
Pete Rock
Would run to turn up Rock Box when the beat dropped
Nowadays my feet stop
Hard to find my sweet spot
Now I’m the handing out curriculum to detox
From the aftermath of weak thoughts
I’ma keep rolling, folk try’n stonewall my efforts
I'm on the field now, s’been awhile since a red shirt
Suiting up, pray I’m rock solid under pressure
And spirit of discernment to see behind the gestures
Ya got shot, cuz ya knock knock knock
Who’s there
Jones, muhfuckin hard rock
Check 1
Check 2
And ya don’t stop
Maintain the block, don’t stop the rock (2x)
Ya got shot, cuz ya knock knock knock
Who’s there?
It’s just my niggas dot, dot, dot….
The title Closer Than They Appear serves as a motif inspired by half the fine print warning on the side view mirrors of vehicles: “objects in mirror are closer than they appear”. The symbolism of the phrase weaves a web connecting many things in my life, especially my music career. The title sort of speaks to the questions I’ve feared asking myself as I’ve grown older: Is a viable music career still attainable for me? Did I say all I have to say? Did I do all I was supposed to do?
We use those side view mirrors to guide us while driving. They’re vital and important tools, directly in front of us. I see myself as an object in the mirror that may be closer to my career breakthrough and self-actualization than I think (or even others may think). It’s almost as if I’m telling myself to keep going in the album title.
It all tied together when I connected with Phonte for this album. He’s one of my favorite artists ever and has been a huge influence throughout my career. Working with him seemed so far-fetched at one point. Meeting Phonte and discovering that he was already a fan of my work and had been interested in working with me boosted my confidence and renewed my fervor for my music career. Making this album, Phonte helped me break free from the “female rapper” box I’ve been trying to break out of for years. My goal was to steer clear of such titles by flexing my range as a songwriter, rapper, vocalist, conceptualist, and diving into genres outside of Hip-Hop.
credits
released October 27, 2020
Objects In Mirror
(Janelle Clinton, Phonte Coleman, Phil Beaudreau)
Produced by Phil Beaudreau
Vocals: Lyric Jones, Phil Beaudreau & Phonte
Jones 4 Lyric Publishing (SESAC)/Daddy’s New Bowtie (ASCAP)/Bad Direction Publishing /Peer Music (ASCAP)
Face To Face
(Janelle Clinton, Bianca Renee Rodriguez, Benjamin Carr)
Produced by Carrtoons
Additional Vocals: BeMyFiasco
Additional Background Vocals: Musinah & Phonte Coleman
Additional Strings: Chelsey Green & Shana Tucker
Jones 4 Lyric Publishing (SESAC)/Daddy’s New Bowtie (ASCAP)/BeMyFiasco (SESAC)/CARRTOONS MUSIC INTERNATIONAL (BMI)
Rock On
(Janelle Clinton, Dominick Lamb)
Produced by Nottz
Jones 4 Lyric Publishing (SESAC)/Teamsta Entertainment Music (BMI)
Crusin’
(Janelle Clinton, Phonte Coleman, Thomas Jones, Bernard Edwards Jr.)
Produced & Mixed by Focus…
Additional production: Mell Beats
Additional Vocals: Phonte & Rapper Big Pooh
Jones 4 Lyric Publishing (SESAC)/Daddy’s New Bowtie (ASCAP)/Funky Cold Creations SESAC)/Teamsta4he Ali3n Resident2Mus1cW0rks (SESAC)
Show You How
(Janelle Clinton, Phonte Coleman, Victor Mensah, David Hodek)
Produced by H0wdy
Co Production: Heilig Tomi
Additional Vocals: Vic Mensa
Additional Background Vocals: Phonte
Jones 4 Lyric Publishing (SESAC)/Daddy’s New Bowtie (ASCAP)/Sony/ATV Ballad/Cake Mensa (BMI)
*Vic Mensa appears courtesy of Roc Nation
Angelina
(Janelle Clinton, Phonte Coleman, Phil Beaudreau)
Produced by Phil Beaudreau
Additional Vocals: Phil Beaudreau
Additional Background Vocals: Phonte
Jones 4 Lyric Publishing (SESAC)/Daddy’s New Bowtie (ASCAP)/Bad Direction Publishing /Peer Music (ASCAP)
Want To Say
(Janelle Clinton, Trevor Payne)
Produced by Blaaq Gold
Additional Vocals: Rah Digga
Jones 4 Lyric Publishing (SESAC)/SoundBoyMusic (ASCAP)
Once More With Feeling (Interlude)
(Janelle Clinton, Phonte Coleman, Benjamin Carr)
Produced by Carrtoons
Vocals: Sy Smith
Jones 4 Lyric Publishing (SESAC)/Daddy’s New Bowtie (ASCAP)/CARRTOONS MUSIC INTERNATIONAL (BMI)
All Songs by Lyric Jones
Executive Produced, Mixed, Arranged, A&R: Phonte Coleman at The Autumn Attic, Raleigh, NC
Mastered by: Chris Boerner The Kitchen, Carrboro, NC
Photography by Justin Jackson at NoHo Photo Studio
Graphic Design & Layout: Chris Charles
Boston, Massachusetts native Lyric Jones is a gifted rapper, drummer, singer/songwriter, producer, and occasional DJ.
Lyric's immense talent has earned her enthusiastic co-signs from the likes of DJ Premier, Chuck D, Black Thought, Pharoahe Monch, J-Live, and more. Her influences range from Jill Scott, Ledisi, and Georgia Anne Muldrow to Nas and Black Thought....more
supported by 35 fans who also own “CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR”
Like so many others, this came like a bolt out of the blue and, even though it's well before payday, I had to have this astonishing album on vinyl to prove it exists. The feel of the tunes makes me feel like the Impressions do, Curtis Mayfield, the big spaces and instinctive horns and stuff drifting in and out. Great grooves and I can see lots of ghosts nodding along to this with big smiles on their faces. At last! Anthony Cottrell