What We Call Life

As the chill of September ushers in the subtle shift to autumn, Jordan Rakei’s What We Call Life lands with a warmth that cuts through the season’s cold, marking a new chapter in the New Zealand-born artist’s musical evolution. His fourth studio album is a delicate exploration of vulnerability, introspection, and emotional growth, crafted through a series of deeply personal reflections that feel both intimate and universal.

Opening with the deeply poignant “Family,” Rakei dives headfirst into the emotional terrain that defines the album. The track, informed by his own therapeutic journey which began in 2019, touches on the complexity of relationships, particularly the painful echoes of his parents’ divorce. Rakei’s evocative lyricism carries an undercurrent of lonely anxiety, a feeling amplified by the distance between himself and his family, encapsulating the haunting yet beautiful tension of his emotional landscape.

While the themes of emotional struggle persist throughout, What We Call Life is not an album of despair. The following tracks, from “Family” through to “The Flood,” deftly weave melancholy with moments of upbeat groove. Rakei’s ability to transform personal lows into uplifting music speaks to his growth as both a musician and a person, as he channels the contradictions of life—joy and sorrow, clarity and confusion—into a seamless listening experience. The album’s intricate arrangements reflect his evolving complexity, both as a producer and as a man navigating his own vulnerabilities.

By the time we reach the final track, “The Flood,” Rakei arrives at a sense of resolution. His admission of indifference, “I don’t care no more,” signals a liberation from the weight of past mistakes, most notably expressed in “Brace.” This track serves as a cathartic release, capturing the artist’s transformation from reflection to acceptance.

What We Call Life is a sonic exploration that blends soul, jazz, and Rakei’s distinct introspective style into a cohesive and deeply moving work. It’s an album that offers more than just a glimpse into the artist’s inner world—it invites listeners to reflect on their own journey through life’s complexities, making it a strikingly relatable and beautifully realised body of work.